Easter

Happy Easter! 

And Happy Birthday Grandma! I sure do love you!
Let me back up before I talk about my Easter adventure, I'm going to recap last night.
Last night Coop, Taylor, and I went to the store and got things to make a delicious fajita dinner. Basically this feast was bomb. Then I made the executive decision to watch Hook. It had been years since I have seen that movie. I was surprised at how funny and what great morals that movie had. The message of family and knowing who you are is powerful. I also think that as a little kid the jokes went way over my head, well I got em' this time! 
Now to the main event… EASTER! Coop made the greatest waffles ever. We had some homemade kneaders syrup and I put peanut butter and bananas on the waffle with that divine syrup. Best breakfast ever! 
I got to experience a BYU YSA ward again. At least it was in a chapel and not on campus in a classroom or worse the testing center (which I actually had for a semester). Church rocked today, focusing on Christ and the Atonement. It is easy to get caught up in the commercialism of the holiday, which takes the focus off of Christ. But I am grateful for Christ and his life and that He atoned for my sins and that He was lives that I may too live again. 
After church I got to caught up with my dear friend Tessa. We roomed together back in the Elms. Good ol' Elms. Worst apartment I have ever lived in, but made some of my favorite memories there. So it had been quite awhile since I have seen her. I heard all about her adventures in Canada and what she has been doing since 08' or 09' or however long ago it was. I even learned about her childhood, which I was surprised I didn't know very much about. 
The very best part of the day was visiting Isaac and Carlene! I consider Big I to be one of my dearest friends. I have missed his sense of humor and his wits. I was so happy to get to spend more time with Carlene, too. I felt like she opened up to me and this is the first time that I really got to spend quality time with her. Big I and Carlene are so cute together and I can't wait to see them get married in July. Carlene slipped me a peak of her wedding dress, which is stunning! Absolutely stunning! She is going to be a gorgeous bride. I am so happy for them! I was so happy to get to spend time with such good friends. I wish I could hang out with them more often. 
So as we were cooking a tasty Easter dinner and catching up on the latest news of each others lives, we dyed Easter eggs. Not going to lie, I haven't done that since I was a kiddo. It was fun and Carlene is super artistic so she made some sweet designs. (And the picture I took doesn't give Carlene any justice to her eggs). 

All in all, I feel so very blessed on this Easter Sunday to have spent it with such great friends and remember the life, death, and resurrection of the Savior. 

Coop's Bridal Shower

The time has finally come! The bridal shower was a success! 
The food was delicious. We had cinnamon rolls that was like heaven in your mouth. We also had strawberries and dip, a caprese salad, and cake pops. Basically it was delicious in every bite. 

We played a fun game where we asked Taylor about their relationship and we had recorded the answers. For every answer Katie got right, us girls had to put a piece of duble buble in our mouths. For every wrong answers Katie put a piece in her mouth. I gave up at 5 pieces but it was 13 to 7. 

Afterwards Katie opened presents and we wrote advice for her on cards. I am putting all these pictures and notes in a photo book so Katie can remember it all. 

Now we are watching Les Mis. This movie is beautiful and gets

me every time. Tonight we are either going to the men's volleyball game or a comedy show. All I know is that I need to eat some protein and vegetables for dinner because of all the cinnamon rolls and cake pops I have consumed earlier today. 

I am excited for Easter tomorrow! 

Reunited.

I've had two fun filled weekends in a row. Last weekend I got to watch my old roommate and dear friend Kristin play lacrosse. My sweet sister, joined me on the trek down to Tucson (aka the arm pit of arizona) to watch the game at U of A. All I can say is that Kris is amazing! She scored like 4 points in a row. This girl was on FIRE! I yelled at least 50 times that " I KNOW HER! and GO KRISTIN!" I was so proud to claim her. BYU beat U of A 17- 7. 

This weekend, I am back in Provo, Utah throwing my best friend Katie Cooper a bridal shower. It has been kind of tough being a state away but I have had help from her current roommate. Which has been such a blessing. 

So I arrived last night and was picked up from the airport by the sweet couple. They are so cute together. Taylor is so good to Coop. They seriously are just the cutest. So we ate at my favorite place like ever which is Costa Vida. And dear kind generous Taylor bought me dinner (that stinker beat me too it, because I wanted to pay for them) but it's ok, I'll take a free din din. Afterwards we chilled at Taylor's gorgeous home and watched some basketball for a short time before Coop and I drove back to Provo together. 

Dear Provo, 

You look the same but you've changed. I drive by a store, restaurant, park, anything and it will flash a memory. And a sharp pain of joy will push it's way to my mind and bring a bitter sweet taste of how much things have changed. Well not all the memories were joyful ones. But most are. Mainly, I'm glad that I don't live here anymore. As much as I miss it, I don't and I am glad I'm making new memories somewhere else. Really Provo, it not you it's me. I just don't like YOU anymore.

Sincerely,

Rach

But on a serious note, there are parts of sweet Provo I missed. In fact, Coop and I went running this morning. I passed by the house I lived in for the stressful months that I was kicked out of my apartment. (Like I said not all joyful) and all of the sudden Provo welcomed me back the only way my clumsy legs know how. With a trip and a fall. The cement got on hands, elbow, and shin real good. Coop didn't laugh at me, bless her soul. She tried making me laugh by saying, "Provo just wanted a hug. " haha. Pretty sure the warm welcome was an affirmation that Provo didn't like me as much as I didn't like the new it. haha.

On the plus side, my favorite boutique Cherry Hill Lane (right across from the Provo Library and literally right next door to Coop's awesome apartment) has expanded and gained so many clothes. Before it was merely jewelry and purses, now it is endless dresses. Made me so happy. I will have to go back and try on some dresses and get BB a birthday present. 

Later on today, Coop and her roommate Caitlin and I went to a friend's house to get some decorations for the shower tomorrow. YEEE! Pictures to come tomorrow, but I believe the decorations came together very nicely. I brought picture frames and a few things from home and we got the rest from Madison Call. She was so kind to lend everything to us! 

The rest of the evening we hung out at the Shops at the Riverwoods and enjoyed the beautiful weather. Those shops have become a great place to hang out. It is beautiful with dangling lights and music. Needless to say, some parts of Provo have improved. Then we saw the Host, the movie by Stephanie Meyers. It wasn't that great. I think it was because the acting was kind of bad. I remember the book being so much better, but know that I think about it, I don't remember very much of the book. hahaha. 

But I am happy to be here and I am happy to throw this shower tomorrow and celebrate Coop and Taylor and their weddingness. Weddings are so great but so much work. Here's to tomorrow and to sweet reunions!

Confidence

Source: beautifuldreams.blog.pt via Rachel on Pinterest

“Confidence is the only key. I know a lot of people who aren’t traditionally ‘beautiful’ — not symmetrical or perfect-bodied or perfect-skinned. But none of that matters because all that shines through is their confidence, humor and comfort with themselves. I can’t think of any better representation of beauty than someone who is unafraid to be herself." ~Emma Stone

MIssouri Round 2

My sweet niece in her blessing dress. She is so pretty. 

This trip was interesting because the entire fam bam came along. There were times of too much togetherness but there wasn't any major blow ups, so I would say this trip was a success. 

It was really cold, it snowed and rained almost every day. But we got out and went and saw the Oz movie which was great and ate a few times at the knock of Black Angus called Colton's. 

It was good seeing my sweet girl and my sister and bro in law. But I am happy to be home again with my puppy, who has bronchitis. She went to the vet today. She is so brave but doesn't like the vet. Good thing I love my puppy because that vet visit was expensive. 

Roller Coaster Day.

It has been a crazy day. The morning started out kind of blue, but quickly turned around when I got a phone call from a random number. The man on the line gave me excellent news… I have been admitted to the master's in management program at ASU! Yay!
I was also admitted to NAU. I haven't heard from Utah State, but we will see. It is a great dilemma to have choices, but I have no idea what I'm going to do now!!!
YEEEEE!!!

I just love Taylor Swift

I don't know about you… but I'm feeling 22. Well 24. But that's ok.