Merry Christmas!

So, seeing as dad put a link to my blog on our Christmas card I figured it would be a good idea to do a brief recap of my life...for all of those who haven't diligently followed my blog or sadly, have never seen it before.

This has been quite the year. So much has happened, I really don't know where to begin. Last January I was living at Liberty Square and having a blast. School has been such a blessing and I still can't believe I am a student at BYU. You would think that after 2 and a half years (scary huh!?) that I would actually be used to it. In November-ish of 2007 I got accepted into the Guadalajara Intensive Spanish study abroad program. In February of 2008 I finally found out that I was accepted into the Special Education Program. Two of the greatest experiences of my life.

I spent 2 months of this last summer with 30 other BYU students and an amazing director and her family in Guadalajara, Mexico. That is actually why I began this whole blog, so if you are really interested or want to see all my hundreds of pictures, take a look around. I loved Mexico. Oh my goodness, I really loved it. I was thinking, speaking, and singing in Spanish. We spent 3 hours every morning in class and then another 3 hours doing service. I worked in an orphanage and learned what it really was to feel Christlike love for another person. I lived with the most amazing family in all of Mexico and they loved me and my roommate. They taught us a lot about their culture and made sure we ate only the best true Mexican food Yolanda could make. Guillermo loved that I was proud of the small Argentine heritage I have and would always talk to me in a true castellano accent. We visited all the major sites and even got to go to an Atlas futbol game. I also was able to have mini missionary experiences and caught just a small glimpse of the joy and the hard work that comes with missionary work. As I said before, Mexico was wonderful and I loved it. I loved what I learned not only about the culture but about myself.

During the rest of the summer I worked, worked, worked and made lots of new friends. I was social and let mom talk me into a hair cut. Yes, a real hair cut, not just some type of trim. It's been fun but I am waiting for it to be long again.

I am back at BYU and I just finished my first semester in the special ed program. I am more than half way done with my college career and I don't even believe it. I could talk about how much I am loving this program, but that would take up too much time. If you just check out my previous blog, I just about summed it up.

Well, I wish you all a Merry Christmas. I love this season and I hope we all remember our Savior, not only just during Christmas, but throughout the year. I know I have been blessed greatly in this last year and I also know that it has been one of the most trying years I have had, but I would do it all again and not change a thing. I love you all.

Another semester ends

It seems the further along I get in school, the faster it starts to go and it just isn't fair. The further you go, the more fun it is. School is finally enjoyable. Sure, I stress - but that is just part of who I am and I never said that what I was doing is was easy. But, I would leave class knowing that I am supposed to be a special ed teacher and that is an indescribable feeling.

One of my favorite professors left us all in tears as she showed us this music video. I had never seen it before and I am not a fan of country music in any way, but this video (although super cheesy at times) has the greatest message. I can't wait to help my students reach their potential and encourage them to go for their dreams.

There is such a special spirit about these amazing kids. There is no doubt that they are filled with the light of Christ. Brandon, the sweet boy in this video, smiles at the beginning and he has your heart from that moment on. Now, I am not doing this to make all of you who see this want to go into Special Education - but I want you to just catch a glimpse of the love and happiness that comes with working next to them.

Spirit of the Holidays

I know this is more than a week late - but my Thanksgiving was wonderful. It was probably my most relaxing break yet and I spent most of my time at home. We had both Wilsons and Thorkelsons at the house for Thanksgiving dinner...meaning our house was almost overflowing and we loved every minute of it. Grandpa makes the best bread and stuffing while the Thorkelsons have the best jello and yummy sweet potatoes. Two of my cousins have recently had babies and everyone was waiting for a turn with Emily or Evrick. Really just a special holiday.
And after all Thanksgiving festivities everyone prepares for Christmas. I was driving through San Marcos just the next day and I saw houses already covered in their lights and blow up santas. Christmas is my favorite. There is that special spirit and the Christmas music - oh how I love Christmas music. I remember one year Porter was obsessed with The Little Drummer Boy, but only Harry Connick's version. We played it everytime he got in the car with me.

11 days until Christmas Break!

missions

So, I am not writing to tell you all that I am going on a mission (not saying it isn't something I am thinking about right now), but rather to try and describe the strange sensation of being a 20 year old LDS girl.

My closest friends left about two years ago and starting this Thanksgiving season until summer, they will all begin to come home. While they have been away, I have become good friends with those around me. Now it is time for these friends to go serve the Lord for 2 years. 3 of my favorite people enter the MTC on Wednesday and one came home last Wednesday. I went to both a farewell and homecoming on Sunday. There is so much excitement about all the coming and going, but then there is this anxiousness left for me...how long will it take for my friendships to be as comfortable and normal as they were before my friends left 2 years ago?

Andy - He is a brother to me. I met him while he was just a little freshman and I was his sister's best friend. She left us early for BYU and while she was gone Andy and I began the greatest swim team at MHHS and have a love for each other that is often found only in siblings. He will be serving the Lord for 2 years in Canada!

Chris - Who knew we could grow up in the same stake and take so long to become friends?! The summer before my freshman year we met. Oh what a crush. We have since spent summers and breaks together. He is a fabulous kid who really knows what he is doing. He told me the summer after my freshman year that he was going to go on a mission when he felt ready. Brazil is lucky to get Elder Jones!

Drew - I could easily write an ENTIRE blog on Drew. We met freshman year - one of the greatest stories I have. A pick up line gone wrong and a boy too nice to let the poor girl make the mistake again. We did have a period where other girls came inbetween us, but as of about a year ago, we have been as close as they come. He is my best friend and I have seen him grow so much. He has such an excitement for the mission - I know he will do amazing things. AND he gets to serve in Chile...the mission my aunt and uncle live in!

Tim - Tim just got home. His best friend (JOHN) moved into my ward while we were just kids and that led to the bringing together of me and Tim. He was one of the first to leave and is now home. I sure hope he is ready for the bombardement of Tati and Lauren as we come back together to bring back our old KPFM crew.

momma

You know those days when you have so much floating around in your head? I can't focus on school and it is because I just have so much to say.

My mom came out to Utah this weekend. Michelle (mommy's sister) just moved from her little townhouse in Provo to this beautiful, gorgeous, unique house in Draper. Michelle flew mom out to help her decorate, move furniture, and make the house hers. I spent Friday to Monday commuting between Provo and Draper and trying to be social in between. It was a great weekend.

I left work a little early on Friday to run back to Michelle's house and shower. Michelle picked me up and we drove out to the airport to get mom. What a happy reunion. I, of course, kept us on a time limit. My boys had their first real basketball game of the season! I just had to be back to watch Cummard show Long Beach what's up. We had a quick dinner together and I sped back to Provo (always safely though!). I was so late to the game so when I got there and found my friends in the FRONT ROW I was beyond pumped. I had let Jesse McCartney keep my mind busy on the drive there and then shouted like I have never shouted at a basketball game.
Following the game was one of the greatest dance parties I have been to in a long time. Oh we danced and we danced and we danced.

Saturday I woke up super early and headed back to Draper for some good house shopping. IKEA, Tai Pan, Gardener's Village, we saw it all! There are some really great things out there right now. Michelle's house is going to be beautiful. The one drawback in all of this was the cute young families. Oh my chunky babies, everywhere! I know my mom saw it and she is just as baby hungry as me. So cute. After all the shopping Michelle took us to Cucina Toscana. Absolutely DELICIOUS. I wasn't able to stay with them for a very long time (I was meeting Aubrey for the Real Salt Lake game...) but enjoyed a few diet Cokes and a great ceasar salad. Mom brought my leftovers home for an after game snack :)

I spent the night with Mom and Michelle on Saturday and woke mom up early Sunday morning so she could accompany me to a farewell and homecoming. What a Sunday it was. After saying goodbye and welcome home to two of my favorite boys, we went back to Michelle's place to get ready for all the family that was coming down for dinner. Lyman and Lorena brought the entire gang. Alex was driving through Utah and decided to stay and eat dinner with his family. And of course Grandma and Grandpa were there. Lorena made the most fabulous pizzas I have ever eaten in my life. Grilled onions, palm hearts, artichoke hearts, mozerella, olives, bell peppers, yum yum yum. Mom and her siblings all got together - an attempt to take a good picture. All I could hear was laughing as they enjoyed being together. I think mom laughed so hard that she was crying.

I love my family.

It was hard saying goodbye to Mom on Monday, but she only reminded me that I would see her again on Friday. That's only 3 days away!

power of pictures

This week - in all of the free time that I don't have - I have looked at picture after picture. I have searched through all my boxes of pictures as well as the many many many that I have collected on my computer. There hasn't been anything in particular that I am hoping to find, I just enjoy the emotions caught in every memory.
I can't believe how things have changed since the time I was the 2 year old, big-lipped, little girl with stick straight, dark hair, styled in the ever fashionable bob cut. My hair has since returned to the bob (who would have ever thought I'd cut my beautiful long hair?!) and I am a JUNIOR at BYU!
So far, all major goals in my life have been accomplished and I am studying Special Education - something that brings me so much happiness.



Then Kelsey begins to appear in the pictures with her round face and her arched eyebrows that left her looking like she was in a constant state of surprise. She was my best friend then and is my best friend now. It's fun now that we are both semi on our own and we really bounce things off each other. I call her almost daily and together we laugh at how ridiculously good looking mom is - a ridiculously good looking trait that she has passed on to us, her beautiful girls :)






Before long, in comes the blue eyed beauty. Syd has grown up faster than any of us. I remember fighting over her when she was the baby. I never wanted to let her go. Oh and how she could dance....She would roll around on the floor, jump straight up, flail her arms and be back on the floor doing aerobics again. She went from 7 to 14 over night, only when I was 14, I looked 14. She is gorgeous and mom and dad are fighting boys off of her left and right. She can text faster than us all put together and can get through and around facebook like no one I know.




Porter was as round and chunky as they come. I don't know how I ever picked him up at the young age of 8...I must have had some really nice arms. He is my weakness. I love everything about that boy and thanks to him, all my children will be as round as can be. He is a total boy living in a house of girls and every time I am home the entire deacon quorum is over creating chaos.





Now, Hannah is our fashion diva. This started from the beginning when I, the lucky 12 year old, got to test my make up skills on a 2 year old! I would give her a little mascara here and there and oh how she loved lip gloss. Today she is turning old skirts into dresses that she'll wear to church. She can take any hand-me-down, make it fit, and look adorable.

I love them and I cannot wait to go home...8 days!

Home SWEET Home

Last Thursday was the start of my favorite road trip quite possibly ever. It was so needed and was better than I expected.
We didn't leave from Provo until almost 4. It was the greatest road trip group - Me, Aubrey, Alison, and the lucky Todd. Since Alison lives in Rancho Cucamonga we stopped there Thursday night and went costume shopping Friday morning. Friday Jackie drove from La Verne to hang out with us in Rancho. Oh how I miss Jackie - it was great to see her.
Ana, Alison's sister, joined us for Friday's activities. We made it back to San Marcos around 1:15. I love getting of at Deer Springs and just taking in how beautiful San Marcos really is. The drive is just not pretty through Murrieta and Temecula so when you come up to the hills of Fallbrook - you know you are almost home. The anticipation makes that the longest leg of the drive.
Once we made it home we cave my family hugs and then we were off for lunch at Mr. Taco. All of my friends from home - take advantage of the Mexican food you have. It's not nearly as good in Utah...After Mr. Taco we picked Hannah up from school (so very exciting) and ran home to be greated by Joe teaching my dog to swim. Apparently he told Woody to get in and Woody is just really good at listening. We sat by the pool, the girls on one side, boys on the other. Typical...AND THEN the boys started getting us wet. A water fight broke out and Porter was punished with kisses.
Before long all the road trippers were out - Aubrey even napping on the floor! By 6:30 we were eating the yummy pasta mom made and getting all ready for the Halloween BOAT DANCE! in the San Diego Harbor. 2 fairies, a queen bee, and a modern snow white. We were adorable and the dance was a blast. We were dancing to our new favorite song (move move shake shake now drop drop drop) when the dj said, "Hey! This is DJ Ryan D...." Ryan D!?! My friend over summer and San Diego's greatest DJ came down from Utah too!
Saturday we spent all morning at the beach and I honestly think this may have been better than the beach weather I saw all summer (that might be just because I was so excited to get out of the Provo cold!). The water was cold - but not unbearable and I had no trouble getting in. There wasn't a breeze to freeze us when we got out either. The sun felt warm and I even got a tan line!
The beach was followed by a quick stop at pei wei and a run through Nordstrom rack for some cute bright blue shoes. After this we rushed to the McMaster's where we tried to enjoy some BYU football. We won...that's about all I have to say about that game.
Saturday night everyone came over and we just hung around my house like we always do. The jacuzzi was on and we enjoyed each other's company.

I love home. And I get to go back for Thanksgiving break in...15 days and counting!

Hee Haw Farms = FIELD TRIP!

The Friday before Halloween we had our second field trip of the year. It couldn't have been a better day and the kids were so well behaved. The sun was out, yet the weather was cool. We jumped on the hay trampoline and took the little tractor ride. Max and I went through the corn maze several times and then we saw the world's biggest pig! We finished by picking our favorite pumpkins from the little pumpkin patch.
One great day at work can make the entire week worth it.

recap: the last few weeks of my crazy life

Pretty much, a ton has happened since my bull riding days.

School is going crazy. I am going even crazier! And work just cannot decided whether it's going to be a constant crazy, or my constant relief. I think it will probably stay a little of both. The weather has also gone through some changes. We had snow last weekend. Can you believe it?! Then this weekend was beautiful, today was probably the most beautiful day we have ever had. I love when it is actually fall...not summer right to winter. The colors have changed and gone up in the canyon, but that will mean colors will be changing down here in Provo really soon. Aubrey and I actually went up to the canyon for pictures - but really hardly took anything. She is just actually a model and I sit there and look goofy. It works our really well. I even slid running to join her for a picture (after ever so carefully balancing my camera on my car with the timer) and accidentally grabbed a barbed wire fence for support!! Ouch. It just looks like an overly large paper cut, but I for sure thought I was going to die :)

But before we even did that we went to General Conference, we went off roading, we celebrated BYU homecoming and even hiked the Y, enjoyed a roommate reunion when lovely Alix came to visit, watched multiple football games...becoming sadder and sadder as they come, taken the romantic full moon ski rides up at sundance (yes, just me and Aubrey), explored the canyon, and watched Real Salt Lake take F C Dallas down, 3 to 1.

That is solely the social aspect of my life for the past while.

Thoughts on Prop 8

You all knew this was coming...

California is my home. It always has been, and besides this break here in the land of snow and mountains, I hope it always will be. As most of you know, I am studying to become a Special Educator and one day I would love to return and teach in Southern California.

Prop 8 has recently consumed my thoughts. I think about it all day and it keeps me from sleeping at night. I have never felt so threatened by anything so political, in fact, I hate even getting into politics. I also do not want anyone thinking that I am intolerant or not accepting. I am concerned for the future of my family. This will only be the beginning. Marriage is ordained of God, it is a part of Heavenly Father's great and eternal plan. The Family: A Proclamation to the World explains why my feelings towards families and marriage are so strong.

Back to Prop 8: If it does not pass - my future is completely changed. Most don't realize that this is more than just acknowledging same sex marriages, it is accepting them as normal and they must receive the same liberties heterosexual marriages do. This means that curriculum in public schools must be changed. Everyone remember when you were a child taking sex ed. The most uncomfortable class we all had to sit through - if Prop 8 is not passed, homosexual relationships must be discussed as well. My children will not be learning about that as if it is something we need to accept. Neither will I teach or support that being taught at my school. A teacher in San Francisco recently took her class on field trip - to watch her be married to her female partner. Some how this was a "teachable moment."

Think that is scary? If Prop 8 isn't passed, the only way a church can continue to be tax exempt is if they recognize same sex marriages like they do traditional marriages. I don't even want to think about how this dramatically conflicts with the beliefs of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the many other religions who have similar views on traditional marriage.

Please take the time and visit protectmarriage.org

ward party AND mechanical bull riding!

We had our first ward activity last night! Oh my. We went up into the canyon - beautiful by this time of the year. The colors we are changing and it got cold real fast. We played wiffle ball, football, frisbee, volleyball....so we obviously had it all going. Then we watched Emperors New Groove on a projector! My toes were frozen about a half hour in and we had to head home.

So we got home by 9 and remembered it was ROBI's birthday party! He had a mechanical bull and everything. I rolled off the front both times I went. First time Aubrey jumped the bull with me. We were the first girls to go together and you know the boys got a kick out of it :) haha The second time I went though I really hurt myself. I landed right on my head! And I had a headband on with it's poky teeth - I think those made it horrible. BUT we got to see ALL of our favorite boys from our ward last year. It was a ton of fun :)

BYU FOOTBALL!

Can I just start by saying that I LOVE MY TEAM!!!!
So my seats are pretty fabulous - no joke, I can smell the team when they come to the field. It is insane. I am pretty far north though so I can't see much of what happens in the south end zone. Also, being right next to the boys means not being able to see what happens on the east part of the field. They are big boys and not easy to see over.
I am sure most everyone has heard how we dominated UCLA on the 12th - a complete shut out! It was the Bruin's worst lost in something like 75 years. Then we shut Wyoming out yesterday. Do we realize how exciting this is!?! I finish every game so proud to be a cougar.
Yesterday they decided to do the haka at the middle of the field, rather than on the south side. I LOVE the haka. Nothing gets me more pumped for football.

The Party Begins

My roommate Alison's birthday is today so Aubrey last minute decides it is a good idea to do an open house/birthday party last night. We had so much fun!
I made my wonderful fliers and Tuesday night we distributed them throughout our ward. Aubrey spent Wednesday making cute cakes and even saved one for me to decorate! People started arriving at 9 and by 9:30 our apartment was full and our 4 cakes were gone. We went through tons of ice cream and 3 bags of candy!
Oh my goodness, Aubrey and I know how to make things fun. It was quick, easy and everyone had a good time. Alison loved it and couldn't stop thanking us. We even took our first roomie picture (as you can see in my heading).

THIS IS THE YEAR!

Oh - and the big BYU vs. UCLA game is on SATURDAY!!!!

She's BACK!

Last night I drove to the airport and got to pick up my roommate and best friend AUBREY! I have been living without her for more than a week and life was rough. It was a wonderful reunion and I think I can finally get into life in Provo. She is just the best roommate you could ask for - so willing to help and do anything and she gives the greatest advice. Plus we share a love for sports, dancing, all things crazy, and beautiful men :) haha As you can imagine, we are always having fun. yay for out third year together.

My schedule has changed a lot. Mondays and and Wednesdays are going to be KILLER. School to work to school. I don't know how I am going to do it but I hope to just jump into the schedule. Also my car is sounding broken...I think I will have to take it in this week. I am scared to drive it to work tomorrow so I will call the mechanic and see what he can tell me. I'll probably have to take it in.

I made it through a week in the new class and so the teacher I work with brought me and her other aid a rose. She is so sweet. She was so genuinely thankful to us. I think I am going to learn a lot working in this classroom. She uses my opinion so much and is really relying on me to help with some of the new techniques she wants to use in the classroom. I am looking forward to what I will learn.

Well - tomorrow is my tryout of this long day and I have a ton of surprise homework to do...lucky me

my first day back at work

I have been in touch on and off with the school I had been working at last winter. There is a new principal and I was basically rehired over the phone. I went in today and she didn't even "interview" me until school was out.

I am in a new classroom and it will talk a lot of adjustment to feel as comfortable in this classroom as I did in my last one. Last year I worked in the all wheelchair class - this year they all run around like wild. I went to visit Barb (the teacher I worked with last year) and 2 of my adorable students are gone. My favorite Adrian and the singing Kathryn have both been moved to their home schools because they, through Barb's help, have become too advanced for the all handicapped setting. I am so proud of them but I obviously miss them. I didn't think that when I said goodbye before the summer that I would be saying goodbye for good.

My new class - 6 kids. All of which have extreme behavioral issues. C who has the greatest smile and sincerest giggle can go to the bathroom on command. He plays with his feces when he is not receiving the attention he wants. He is also quite the sprinter and is the only kid who can get the door open. BUT he was so good today and thought I was pretty funny.  A is a doll and really does everything we ask. She is clean and neat and when you are with her it is almost like you are getting a little break. J is the cutest boy ever but he gets out of everything by going to the corner and napping. I have never seen a kid sleep so much and still be able to sleep more. L was sick this morning but came in after lunch. She thinks everyone is a baby and wants to cuddle them. MW was Aubrey's friend last year. He loved her and her little bunny foo foo song. MX is new to the school - he is the handful. Since MX is new to the class, MX took it upon himself to beat up MW. He has this death grip and MW's face was covered in scratches and raised skin. MW and I got really close - anytime he got hurt he ran to me and just cried and cried. I came home from work covered in his runny nose, slobber, and tears.

I am completely beat. But I am looking forward to getting to know these new kids and hope that I can see many great improvements and changes before long.

Back to School and EVERYTHING else

There is so much that has happened in the last month.
I am now back in Provo. I got out here on Wednesday night and I am still working on moving in. Jackie drove up with me and I this is the first time we will not be together everyday since Shaver Lake. It was a sad goodbye - but with any luck she will be here in October for conference.
My apartment is adorable. We have a main level with our living room and kitchen then there is upstairs with the bedrooms and my favorite part - a basement! It isn't even an exciting thing, just storage room, but just saying I have a basement sounds so cool.

Our first football game of the season was on Saturday. We played Northern Iowa and we won. I love my team. Can you believe this is my 3rd season of football?! haha AHHH. It was such a fun game. My seats are 2nd row on the 40 yard line. It will be a great season.

Saying goodbye to San Marcos was harder this summer than before. Kelsey was leaving home too and so my family was more emotional than usual. I also actually did pretty well making some amazing friends in the Palomar Ward. There was always something going on and I found myself busy with a social life once again.

I also had some friends from BYU come down and visit at the end of summer. They stayed at my house for 4 days and it was a party. Jackie was over the entire time and I am convinced they are now best friends with her.

Well - Mom says she can feel all the adventures I am going to be having this year. I can't wait for them to start happening!

SHAVER LAKE

Another summer - another week at my favorite Shaver.
My family has now been doing this for 9 years with the McMasters and Barnums...we become the McBarkelson. Every year we do the same thing. We are on the lake almost everyday. Saturday and Sunday are our break days. Saturday we head down to Fresno for the day where we watch a movie, maybe some shopping, and eat lunch at Red Robin. Sunday we go to the lovely little Auberry ward. People have really started to recognize us around town.

Everyone left for Shaver on Wednesday night. This year we were missing Kelsey, Zach, and Nate - but I brought Lauren, Tommy had his fiance Lauren, and the Barnums brought fun little Austin. Lauren and I drove up Saturday morning and met them all in Fresno. We missed the Red Robin bit but got everything else in.

Sunday was church followed by our hike down Dinky Creek. This lovely picture is what happens when you get scaredy cat Syd followed by goofy Port. Poor Cliff. I wish you could have heard the screaming happening in this picture. It was a little ledge you had to scooch down with a little fall on the other side, but nothing major. Syd didn't get how to do it and was screaming. I told her to sit down and I was going to scoot her. Porter sits down as well and then gravity takes over....there he goes. Scooting right into Syd. I have never seen her so mad. "PORTER! STOP. GET OFF!! POOOORRRTTTERRR. NO STOP!" haha and then a series of loud screams. Poor Porter could really do nothing about it, gravity was pulling him down. Next, he got stuck between our scooting rock and the rock that made the scooting hard. It was hilarious. Then Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were spent all out on the lake. The Myers and the Simmons showed up at Shaver Tuesday and my best friends Alyse and Chad finally made it Wednesday afternoon.

At one point in our adventure the girls, Hannah and Jaycee, wanted to play hide and seek. Now, Lauren and I aren't the greatest hiders and hate being it, so we tricked them into a dance party. Those girls have moves I have only seen on TV!

Tuesday was the day of my great fall. I ate it bad. I didn't even get that great of a jump in and smacked on the opposite wake. I went down fast and slapped my head on the water then my board came up over my head. I heard my spine just snap. I thought I was dead but when I realized I was ok I was ready for another run. The next day my entire body was mad at me. I was sore and couldn't move. Thursday - once I had made it home - my head was exploding. There was so much pressure and I thought my eyes were going to pop out. We went to urgent care and she was a little worried but there wasn't much she could do so I had a follow up appointment yesterday. Conclusion: whip lash and a contusion. Don't worry though, I am alive :)

Well - the summer keeps going.
We had an earthquake the other day - Tuesday. It was a little scary. Mom, Kels, and I were watching Becoming Jane on my quick work break (lots to say about work to come) when all of the sudden we felt a little shake and just looked at each other. Woah, was that an earthquake?! and then 2 more rolled by, a little stronger than before. That was when we were like oh man, are these just pre tremors? And jumped up and made sure the kids in the pool were doing alright. They didn't even feel it. It has been a while since I have actually felt an earthquake. You know, people are saying how they wouldn't want to live in California because of our earthquakes but honestly all other natural disasters scare me much more.

Ok work - so I started teaching a new group of kids on Monday. Once again I have some truly adorable kids...until you get to my last class. Yes - they are adorable but they are horrible! I can't get them to sit down and listen so that I can tell them what we are going to do and since they're in water it's not like I can just let them swim while I am working with one student. Then the parents complain but guess what - their kid is the reason I can't teach. How do I tell a parent that? Oh man...and I still have 5 days to go with them and then some lucky someone gets to sub my last 2 days. I am hoping to get them under control before I have to turn them to one of my coworkers.

Happy Birthday to.... ME!

I am 20 - I didn't know that this was possible. 20 is so young...until I am 20! haha Everyone else can turn 20 and it is great fun but I just am not ready. I guess this is too late seeing as my birthday was actually yesterday so I have now been 20 for approximately 24 whole hours.

So we celebrated it with all my friend on Friday. My high school friends took me to a nice dinner at California Pizza Kitchen (our favorite celebration restaurant!). The waitress was quickly informed that it was my birthday and she asked how old. Everyone was like 20 Wooo. And she just looked at me, "haha Funny. For real, 20?" I guess I looked older - she was getting ready to bring out some alcohol. haha

After dinner Carly and I rode with Ted in his crazy fun car. The windows were down and we were taking pictures galore. It was a great party in the back of the car. We were dancing and shaking. Taking pictures with wind blown hair. You know - the normal for me :)

Finally we made it to Carly's house for my mini fiesta - only called a fiesta because I had a shopping spree at a nearby Mexican market and bought all the candy I had seen in Mexico. They even had my emperador cookies! That was the greatest market and I am sure I will be going there quite often now.

I had a surprising amount of friends come to my fiesta. I was busy running around saying hi to my favorite people in San Marcos. A huge group of my co-workers came too...I really just love them. They even brought me some stuffed toy they found on the side of the road - ha that's how much they love me! Then I had the high school gang - the loves of my life. AND my church friends. Can you believe it?! haha I have made some this summer. Jackie is one of them and I will love her forever and ever. I hope she is ready to be stuck with me every time I am back in San Marcos.

Then for my real birthday yesterday - we started with a baby shower for my cute cousin Evy. She is adorable with that pretty baby in her belly. haha And her little sister Anne surprised us and showed up with her new little belly too! It was fun to be surrounded with family and play with the cute babies that were brought.
After the shower mom and dad took me down to the forum...Anthropologie!!! I loved it. I bought some pretty cute clothes if I do say so myself. Following my forum trip with mis padres I went on a date. Can you believe it!? A DATE! haha That's what I thought. We went to Panera for dinner, watched X-Files (a movie that...was x-files and sadly - I liked the TV show better), then followed it all with Cold Stone. It was a lot of fun :)

WICKED!

last night my life was changed for forever. Syd and I went with some aunts and cousins to see Wicked up in LA. I wish everyone could see how amazingly clever this musical is. The plot and how every detail seems to fit and match to our Wizard of Oz. Then the music - my parents saw Wicked a few years back and of course listened to it all the time after. I liked it, sure, but it wasn't my first choice. Well - it has made it to my ipod. haha I love it. The emotions, excitement, just the thrill of actually seeing Wicked! Anyone up to go? I am ready to see it again!

Buca di Beppo

SO I have this great manager - Alex. I have known him since I was a little sophomore at San Marcos. He was swim captain and I was intimidated by them all. Then the summer after my junior year I began lifeguarding and guess what - Alex was my boss. I was older then and past my oh so shy stage. We have been friends ever since. Sadly, this is his last summer at the pool. (It is mine as well, but I am actually finishing out the summer...) He is leaving us this week for grad school in South Carolina. And since his birthday is on Tuesday we decided to throw a huge party at Buca di Beppo down in San Diego. We had fun and I must say we are a group of good looking lifeguards. I think I should take more advantage of living so close to San Diego...but I say this every summer and still make it down there maybe once.

new hair and christmas in july

If you haven't yet noticed - I have cut my hair. Can you believe it?! haha I am still getting used to it. It was cut exactly a week ago. Monday my mom said to me that I needed a pick-me-up and that she wanted me to try a bob. Mom, wanting me to cut off my hair that she so insistently begged for me to keep long?! I was in shock but she now believed that I was almost 20 and needed something new. Luckily Tina knows my hair better than I do and found a new cute look. For the most part, I am really enjoying it but there are some days when I miss the comfort of my long, always the same, thick hair. But this short cut has been fun and kept me entertained.

So - new thing at the pool this year - THEMED FAMILY SWIM NIGHTS. Woodland Park Pool just had its first one of the summer and of course I was headguard. Our theme - Christmas in July. All of my bosses were there so really I was just in charge of making sure my guards were alert, happy, and rotating. We had fun with reindeer races, gift drop, and a snow ball fight. As you can imagine, the guards enjoyed the water balloons more than anyone else and we were kept busy. We had Alex in a stocking outfit, Miles dressed as Santa, and then lucky Craig put green tights under his guard shorts and was our elf. I, of course, had to get myself a picture amongst my favorite red and white guards. It was a crazy night - full of guard drama - a night that will never be forgotten :)

4th of July

I am going to jump back a little.

4th of JULY - one of my favorite holidays. Everyone has this optimistic spirit and smiles are being shared left and right. The smell of BBQs linger throughout the city. Families are gathered and for a day all contention is forgotten. Watermelon drips from kids faces and fingers and everyone is giddy for fireworks.

Normally I spend my 4th's in Utah - but this marked my 2nd year in San Marcos working the Lifeguard First Aid/ Pizza booth. It was perfect. I got to spend the afternoon swimming with my wacky family and then spent the evening selling pizza to fellow San Marcans. PLUS I had front row seats to our fireworks. They had to be the best I have seen for a long time.

Swim Lessons

So I finally got a few pictures of my cute swimmers. Friday was our last day and I have now moved on to a new group of kids. I teach a total of 4 classes everyday and they keep me busy. Both my classes last session were level 1B and this session I start with a group that ranges from between a 2 and 3. They are a private group all from Grace Lutheran. Then I jump into a level 3 - a huge class of 8 with adorable Emma Bird. That is followed by a level 2 - 7 kids who are all about having a good time and staying on the stairs. My last class is the Parent/Child class. A teachers nightmare...the parent is not only watching everything you do, they are in the water with you! I was very worried, especially a hatefter our first day where neither of my 2 girls would let go of their moms. Today went 100 times better. They actually said more than no and let me play with them. I am hoping I start to feel comfortable working with the parents soon.

WORK, work, WoRk

So I have been home now for 2 and a half weeks. I can't believe it. I feel like I have been home for forever...I jumped into work the moment I got home.
WORK - - Once again I am working as a lifeguard for the City of San Marcos. My second home during the summer is Woodland Park Pool. This is my fourth summer with this job and I am finally reaching the top. I am headguard and I am really enjoying working with our new guards. They respect me and we work well together. For the most part, I trust them out there and feel safe having them watch the pool. They do what I ask and they do it without complaining. I am very impressed.
Although, my favorite part about this job is teaching lessons. I finish my first 2 week session of lessons on Friday. Friday will be our "Friday fun day" and I am dragging Kelsey with me to take pictures of my adorable kids. In my first class I have little Sammy who has started jumping into my arms and giving me adorable little kisses. Then there is Hunter who told me yesterday that I am his favorite teacher. Although they are only a 1B they are fearless and all but Sammy will jump off the low dive. Hunter has a harder time than the others. Poor kid shakes when he gets to the end and the first day we tried it took him 5 minutes to jump. Yesterday he got so frustrated that he just didn't do it. BUT today - today he jumped off surprisingly quick. I was so proud of him.
My second class is full of kids just a little younger but when we did safety day they put on their life vests and refused to get out of the dive tank. They are a bit more timid but I am watching as all of them are putting faces in the water and jumping to me. Yesterday they all floated on their backs without me. I was so impressed.

Back to Life at Home...

So - I am home and nothing too exciting is going 0n. No stories like I had while I was in Guadalajara. It is nice being back in San Marcos but I am definitely missing my home in Guadalajara.
I have been able to spend a lot of time with my family and I am really enjoying that part of my summer. Although, when I am not home with them I am working hard at the pool. I am head guard almost everyday and then I started teaching lessons on Monday. I only have 2 classes and they are both a 1B but the skill level in the 2 classes are completely different. In my first class I have 2 girls that are almost 9 years olds. I definitely have to teach them their own skills. It's like a juggling act.

The Final Ciaos

I just got home from saying goodbye to my amazing group. All I can think is that it is a good thing the Church keeps everyone so close together. I know I have already said this but they really have become my family. I can't wait to see them all again in Provo and I am looking forward to every reunion. Plus - from what we have figured - almost everyone has verizon. What an easy way to keep in touch. My heart hurts just thinking about spending the rest of my summer with out them...Good thing we have texts and facebook. Maybe I can get some to take another vacation and visit me :) We will see how that goes.

And then the kids we have met in the ward down here. They have done everything for us. I really love them and I hope that we can keep in touch. I don't know if I can thank them enough. They have been so understanding and so willing to help. They talk to us - even with our broken, struggling spanish! They drive across Guadalajara to pick us up. They have really spent every minute they can with us and I am horribly sad to say goodbye.

Goodbyes: ROUND 2

I have already said goodbye to my cute service girls and last night I had to say goodbye to Hermana Stallings and her family. They really have become my family out here. Hermana stops anything to help us and she so sincerely loves us. I am so happy that they will be a family I can see time and time again while I am studying at BYU. Her daughter, Rachel, reminded me so much of Kelsey. You know, that funky yet adorably unique style? So Rachel. She is so sweet and always ready to have fun. Then Stephen reminded me so much of Porter! Tuesday at the dance party on the boat - definitely Porter. He has that adorable round face and is just the entertainer. Although - Stephen dresses like a little skater boy with his tight pants. Porter wouldn't be caught dead wearing those! haha They also had a friend with them, one of those friends that you grow up believing is a cousin. Natalie. She is so special and amazing mature for going into 12th grade. I had a ton of fun with her. She is rambunctious and daring. Fearless and fun. I will miss them. Good thing everyone lives in Utah!

tonight will be the hard part - saying goodbye to my friends. This group of 25 that has literally become my family. I have a whole lot of new sisters and 2 amazing new brothers. I am a little nervous to not have them for the rest of my summer.

Under the moon

We tried sleeping on the beach again last night. This time it was a success. We could see the moon and sometimes even some stars. We even had a full moon so everything was well lit up. I think we had a bat chilling at the top of our little umbrella hut - the moment Nat and I stopped talking to go to sleep he started making noises. I guess everyone had a rough time trying to sleep on those chairs but I am pretty sure I didn't move once. It was a wonderful night :)

our day cruise!

We spent yesterday on a boat. It was an amazing amazing adventure. We started with a breakfast of fruit on the boat and then headed to some rocks for snorkeling. There was a total of 3 types of fish and if you saw one, the other 2 were close by. You didn't have to do much searching...They were cool fish but the water wasn't very clear and we didn't have coral to watch the fish swim in. Not the best snorkeling but we had a ton of fun. The water is amazingly warm.
After snorkeling we dropped people off for lunch and those who wanted to go hiking to the falls (ME!) got to keep going. It was like a half hour walk there and back. We also followed horses, which wasn't all the pleasant. The scenery was beautiful though. And when we got to the falls - gorgeous! We swam for a little at the bottom of the falls and enjoyed the rock slide going along side the fall. We played there for about half an hour and headed back. There was a 6'8'' boy on the hike with us with is 5'11/6 foot girlfriend. I noticed they were both wearing ucla shirts - later come to find out he is going to be a sophomore for the ucla basketball team. I think he is from Serbia. Nikola Drac...something. Pretty crazy!
After the hike we went back to the beach and enjoyed some lunch. Ashley, Jess, and I swam from the boat to the shore. It was so nice to just swim...although there were some jellyfish and Ashley had already gotten stung the first day of our trip. We were screaming and trying to swim as close to the top of the water as possible. I am sure everyone just thought crazy americans. After we ate we dove write back into the water. The beach here was clearer and not as sandy - it was more rocky than the silty sand at our beach. It reminded me a little of Waimea. The waves crashed pretty much on the shore and would have been horrible for boogie boarding but turned out wonderful for just playing around.
The boat ride back was the best. We get on the boat and before long they are playing the Macarena. Our group was at the front shaking what we had. Everyone else loved it, of course. Then we went into the new electric slide dance followed by Achy Breaky Heart en espanol and of course YMCA. Soon we found ourselves upstairs dancing on the open deck. The boat swayed a lot more up top and pretty much our dancing consisted of trying to keep balance as we moved back and forth. Ashley tried to dip me and of course here comes a toppling wave. haha We both ended up on the ground - the only 2 to fall. We really had a good time.
Once we got back to the harbor Hermana walked up to me and in spanish said that my mom must have taught me how to dance. I laughed and told her I couldn't dance. Then she went on to explain that I know how to move my hips and she actually seemed very impressed! haha I still don't know what she is talking about. I remember mom trying once to teach me to dance to Back to life by Soul II Soul back in like 7th grade. haha That was a joke and we haven't tried since then. They also had a huge map of the states of mexico on the ground and I should have gotten a picture of me standing right north of Baja California. We actually found people to make the entire west coast. Made me miss home...

Mas Sol

I am sunburned. Surprise.
Ok - so yesterday was father's day. We went to church and really that was it. Church was really good but I won't lie, we were all beat dead. We never seem to get enough sleep. But it was SO nice to just relax and enjoy ourselves. No rushing, no appointments, just having fun. On the way home, lucky me, I sat on gum. I noticed this once we reached the hotel. I could feel it on my dress but it took me forever to see it. I asked the girls if they saw it but they had to search. The gum is exactly the same color as the flowers on my dress and that is right where they were.
Last night I went on a walk with Ashley and Jessica. Before long we were walking in crocodile land - good think I remembered one of the girls in our group mentioned that and we turned around and made it home safely. It was beautiful to walk along the beach at night though. We then decided we should sleep out on the chairs. I was out in no time ( soo tired) but before too much time passed the girls woke me up saying it was raining. I was under the fun umbrella hut so I had no idea. We had fun though!
Monday was spent on the beach. Nat and I had tried kayaking on Saturday with Natalie and Maggie - that was an adventure for sure. 4 on one kayak - with only 3 paddles. I am slowly finding bruises. But Monday, when Nat and I tried, it was so amazingly simple. I was all excited for some huge work out - ha. Then we boogie boarded all afternoon. I had a last run - I must have caught the wave horribly. I have never hurt myself boogie boarding until yesterday. My board went straight into a nose dive and so I tried to push it one way and somehow my chin got it good in the sand. I got up and was afraid to move. My jaw was pretty tight and my ears were aching. Now - I feel like I went to the orthodontist and he messed with my mouth...but really, so far so good.
Last night we went and visited the real Puerto Vallarta. So we are in Nueva Vallarta - which is in a different state completely. Just neighboring cities though. Puerto was fun, definitely not beaches like the one were are on but we walked down the boardwalk and enjoyed taking pictures

I LOVE MY DADDY

happy father's day!
I am so thankful for my daddy. Everything he does is for us - his family. He knows my potential and pushes me to reach that. I can go on and on with stories I have of my father, and for the most part they are actually quite entertaining, but I will restrain from sharing all.

This last winter semester was really hard for me. I was having a hard time getting into my program (special education). Who knew it was so hard! I made it on the waiting list and was devastated - but then there was my dad. He had so many stories to tell me about waiting for doors to open when it comes to careers and just having faith. It was amazing to hear all the things my dad did for my family and how he only makes choices through the help of our Heavenly Father. His faith amazes me.
He has a testimony like no one else I know. When he gets up there to bear his testimony I can't control myself. I love his face when he bears his testimony. You can tell it is taking everything out of him. He is so sincere and I always look forward to hearing my father bear his testimony.

I remember we had this ward youth conference in Utah. We watched The Testaments one evening and when we walked out - there was the Salt Lake Temple, beautifully lit up. Kelsey and I were still trying to dry our eyes from the movie and just looking at the temple. Then comes dad. He just wraps us in his arms and we stood there together, tears streaming down our faces, for a good solid 5 minutes. I will never ever forget how much love was felt in those minutes.

Then, of course, there is the jack black, pee your pants funny side of my dad. He makes everyone laugh and really is the heart of any good party. Get him singing some karaoke and your life will forever be changed. Or start him going on some good movies like Nacho...Have you ever seen the faces he makes at all the cute little kids at church?! haha Those were the faces I grew up with.

Dad's new big thing is photography. I love it! He will come back from BYU games with the greatest pictures! His action shots are the greatest AND then he has this amazing shot of Bryan Kehl. Haha That will always be my favorite.

So all in all - I love my dad. I used to be easily embarrassed but nothing he does can embarrass me now because I know he loves me and I love him and that is all that matters! He is the greatest. He is my foundation, the one who is never dramatic and keeps me from being quick to judge and worrying too much about what others think. He is my example and has set a high bar for me to follow. I know he has faith in me and that he loves me more than life. He is so willing to give me blessings and help me make it through all the "troubles" of a young college girl.

I am and forever will be your kukiluki. I love you dad!