Summertime Catch-Up

I’m happy to report I made it [almost] two months without needing to walk into a doctor’s office or instacare. Sadly, that record is now diminished. Don’t worry though, it’s nothing too serious; just a little case of strep throat virus. The last couple days I've noticed my throat hurting more and more, with my glands beginning to swell. This morning I used a flashlight and sure enough, there was some yucky details in which I don’t need to go into in the back of my throat. After being “disinvited” from work, I went to the instacare and learned that I don’t have strep throat: the bacteria, but strep throat: the virus. Who knew there was a difference? It’s less severe than bacteria, however, being that it’s a virus, there’s no antibiotics to speed up the healing process, making me remain both contagious and uncomfortable. Blah. Naturally, working with little ones with small immune systems is not an option. So, I’m at home, actually relishing a bit in the peace and quiet and drinking some hot cider. I thought this would be a good opportunity to catch up on the rest of my summer, post study-abroad.

Roughly 24 hours after stepping back onto American soil, I found myself in Island Park, Idaho with the Moldenhaurer clan. For the first time in over 10 years, everyone from my mom’s side of the family was present – all 52 of us! It was a delight! We rented out two cabins that were both charming and picturesque. For me, after being in large, foreign cities for the last 6 weeks, it was quite refreshing to be surrounded by green trees, wildflowers, and, I dare say, dirt! Of course, the cousins brought the four-wheelers and the kids were off and going high-speed during down time. On the warmest day, we went on the lake in the boat. Water skiing, tubing, sun bathing…it was very fun. Little Jacob got a taste of the water and was so cute in his little swim trunks. At night, after the kids had gone to bed, many of us would stay up to play games. I love that my family loves games as much as we do. They’re such a hoot to play with and, when you put a bunch of us together, we’re sure to get tummy aches from laughing so hard; which certainly happened on more than one occasion. Because I was still jet-lagged, I was a party pooper some nights and went to bed ridiculously early, but for what I was there for, I was reminded of how much I love my family. One afternoon, we let the boys be in charge of activities for the kids while we girls had a birthday party for Aunt Lucy. What was the activity, you may ask? Bottle rockets – of course! We made it through with no casualties, but plenty of smiles and laughs from the crowd. It was a fun week and I’m thankful we got to spend some much needed time together as a family.

The day after I got home from the reunion, I rushed back to Provo to celebrate Taylor’s upcoming wedding nuptials. However, before one of my favorite girls could tie the knot, we needed to have a bridal shower. Selfishly speaking, I was so happy we could celebrate not only to honor Taylor, but to be together once again. I had missed my friends and was grateful for the excuse to all be in the same room at once! A couple weeks later, Landon and Taylor got sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. I’m so happy for them. At their wedding luncheon, Landon’s dad said that after he [Landon] had met Taylor 8 years ago, he never really looked at another girl. As much as I can, I understand why. Taylor is one of the sweetest, kindest, good-natured people you’ll ever meet. I admire her courage and her testimony. I envy her willingness to try new things and meet new people. She’s constantly trying to improve upon herself. I’m so thrilled for this new chapter she’s begun in her life. More so, I’m thankful that Taylor is now married to a man who I know will do anything and everything to protect, provide and love one of my dear friends. I wish you both the best and the most happiness in your lives!

Preparing the shower decorations 

So proud of our work 

Taylor missed the "YELLOW" memo

 Wedding Luncheon

 The Happy Couple 

I’m back at my job at the BYU Preschool and Kindergarten. Just for the summer, I’m actually working in the kindergarten classroom! It’s neat to see the other side of the program. I’m so used to being behind the secretary desk that it’s fun to trade in my post-it notes and spreadsheets for crayons and writing journals. Children just have a way of moving into my heart and settling in. I love working with them every day. They are a great blessing in my life! Another blessing to my job are the people I get to work with. It makes coming into work so much easier knowing that I’ll see my friends too. They are terrific examples to me. I’m grateful for them.

Olive Garden dinners are my favorite dinners 

In addition to work, I’m also taking class’s full time. Because it’s only a term – not a semester – classes are accelerated in nature. I’m taking French Readings in Art History and Modern Art. I’ll be honest here: on the first day of my French class, I was kind of freaking out! I hadn’t taken French since I was a freshman in high school and I wasn’t good back then either. Thankfully, with a lot of encouragement from my professor (who is fabulous, by the way) I’ve managed to survive. I even pulled off a B on my midterm. Heaven only knows how, but it was rather exciting, I will not lie. Modern has been a joy not just for its content, but because I’m being taught by Kate Lemay again. This is her last semester teaching at BYU and admittedly I am very sad about it because I think she is a phenomenal teacher, but I’m looking forward to seeing where her future adventures take her. Thank you for all you've taught me, Kate. I owe you a lot!

This last Monday, we dropped Grandma Dixie off at the Provo MTC. She is bound for the Boston, Massachusetts mission, working with old documents and family history. The call is too perfect! She will be a wonderful missionary and I am very proud of her. It will be an exciting journey for Grandma and I am anxiously waiting to hear what will happen in the next 23 months. Good luck, Grandma! You’re in my prayers!

The girls and I have made some fun memories this summer too. Yes, admittedly, we have spent a Saturday or two lounging in the front room watching scary movies and vegging on cheetos and cherries, but we’ve done other activities too! We’re not complete bums! For example, we…

Went boating with some new friends!

Had a couple bon fires with plenty of s’mores to go around!

Ate chicken. A lot of it.

 Made a wicked awesome fort and had many sleepovers! Of course, Pitch Perfect was included :)

It got cleaned up shortly after this picture was taken. I couldn't handle the mess much longer...

Because I was in Europe over my 21^st birthday, the girls threw me a surprise birthday party last weekend. I did not see it coming! I was so touched. Knowing me best, they made it Breakfast at Tiffany’s themed complete with crowns, pearls and cupcakes. They even got dressed up for me! I have found myself some good friends. I am very blessed to have them.

We went to the movies and saw The Great Gatsby. I really enjoyed it! The 20s seem so full of life and energy. I loved the costumes and the acting was fantastic. I would recommend it to anyone interested! After gorging on popcorn and slurpies, we went to Les Hermanos (trying new restaurants in Provo while we still can) and did a few dares

 When I was in London, some of the girls and I went to see “Wicked”. I've seen the play before when I was a senior in high school and both experiences brought up a lot of emotion for me. Both times I saw the play was when one chapter of my life was ending and a new one was beginning. The first time, a senior in high school and soon about to embark on graduation and college, I felt like I could very easily relate to Elphie’s and Glinda’s relationship. They were different, as different as rain is from the sun. They didn't like each other a lot of the time, but something about their differences opened the door for a splendid friendship that would have life-long repercussions. My then best friend Rachel and I fit many of these descriptions. Unless you knew us, you would never pin us as friends or perhaps even acquaintances. Still, our differences made us a good team. And we helped each other out. And at least for me, she is someone I will not soon forget. Even though it’s been months since we’ve talked and I can’t even tell you the last time we’ve seen each other, she is one I will not easily overlook. This time, seeing “Wicked” and laughing and crying alongside Elphie and Glinda and their funny and unusual friendship, I’m reminded of special girls in my life that very shortly I will have to say goodbye too. Some of the lines in the closing song “For Good” say:

“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason; bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who’ll help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return. Well I don’t know if I believe that’s true, but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you….

Who can say if I’ve been changed for the better, but because I knew you, I have been changed for good”

There’s no better or easier way for me to describe how I feel about these friends than how Elphie and Glinda say it to one another before they depart from one another’s lives. I have been changed for good because of Hailey. Because of Taylor. Because of Caroline. Because of Amber. When I went off to college, I had many people tell me that I would make lifelong friends. I didn’t believe them. To each of you, you were right! I have! I have made those friendships and made those memories that, for right now, are some of the happiest in my life. Now, none of us have turned into the wicked witch of the west and will soon be “melted”. Rather we have much more pleasant futures in store: some of us are getting (or ARE) married, others are graduating and moving on, some are staying. But this is our last summer all together. And in 18 days (but who’s counting?), we will truly become all separated. I don’t like change. I don’t deal with it well. And so it’s very natural for me to say that I am NOT looking forward to this transition. In fact, I’ve got my day planned already and it includes nothing except a lot of mint chocolate chip ice cream, sweatpants and One Tree Hill. Still, I want my girls, these wonderful treasures of mine, to know that you have made the last [almost] four years of my life unforgettable; brilliant; happy. We’ve argued like Elphie and Glinda. We’ve stopped talking for long periods of time like Elphie and Glinda. We’ve competed like Elphie and Glinda. We’ve also laughed like Elphie and Glinda. We’ve taken risks like Elphie and Glinda. We’ve hugged like Elphie and Glinda and we’ve changed each other’s lives like Elphie and Glinda. Through the pain and the arguments and the tears; in the group text messages, the trips to Salt Lake and Deer Valley, the midnight runs to Sonic or Wendy’s; in the minutes that turned into hours and the months that turned into years, we’ve managed to create a picture that is a beautiful scene that will forever hang in my memories. And just like the song says “…and now whatever way [my] story ends, you know you have rewritten mine by being my friend”.

Loves!