To the best mom ever!!

Dear mom,

Sorry that this is soooo late. Ok, so it's only six days late but still I feel bad! I just want you to know how much I love you! You are the best mom I could ask for! Thanks for always being there when I need you. Thanks for taking me to all my dance classes and all school stuff. Thanks for pushing me to do my best...I think it might be working. Thanks for answering when I call you everyday just to chat about life. Thanks for the packages you send me that I love oh so much. Thanks for always supporting me in anything I do. Thanks for teaching me how to be a good mom. I hope that I can be like you someday. Thanks for pushing me to get my goals. Thanks for teaching me what's right and wrong. Thanks for holding my hair when I would throw up. Thanks for letting me sleep on your floor after watching the Elizabeth Smart movie. Thanks for telling me to not watch the Elizabeth Smart movie...except I did it anyways. Thanks for loving me no matter what! I am missing a lot of things but I just wanted to cover my bases and now I have to get back to studying, which I know you would be sooo proud of. I love you mom! I miss you a lot!! Happy Belated Birthday!! Your the best mom anyone could ever ask for. I will always look to you for advice. I love you.

xoxo

your favorite daughter (ok favorite that's in college) :)

p.s. I tried really hard to write with good punctuation and spelling for this post, just for you!

Merry...halloween?

No its not Christmas yet...but I have decided to embrace Halloween and Taylor and I spent one night (around 1:30) decorating our room! Thanks to my mom!!! She sent a box of Halloween goodies including a banner, window decals, and some spider webs! Our room is now the cutest on the floor...if only we could pass that cleaning check :)

Fall is going great so far...I am feeling like the cold weather is kinda fun now! Who knew?! Last night I went on a date and we went with a big group up to American Fork Canyon and made a fire...then we went out on this little boat on a lake! Thanks to my fabulous date it was a great time! Although I was freezing (even with my two jackets and blanket on)! haha but now I have a bag full of clothes that smell like campfire and my hair even after a washing...oh how i love it.

School is getting pretty busy right now. I have midterms going on so everything is all at once, two papers, and two exams this week plus my other work I need to keep up with! As my mom would say "welcome to college" sooo sympathetic haha ;) love you mom! But, lucky for me...I am leaving for my favorite place in the world on Friday early morning. If you know me at all you know I'm talking about DISNEYLAND!! of course the happiest place on earth! My dad decided last minute that instead of them coming here I would meet them in California. Oh how i love the man!! So I'm off to study my brains out and listen to NSYNC Christmas (thanks mom and dad!!)

miss you all!

xoxox

kmf

p.s. KAYTIE SYLVESTER. COME VISIT ME!! i miss you so much girl! i'll see you on skype soon!

Dear Utah...

I was loving the weather here last week...then it got cold. I still liked it, well I liked it for a while. Until I realized Utah isn't Arizona and when it gets cold it doesn't mean Christmas is coming. So after I had a false alarm about getting excited for Christmas I am left wondering why it is cold when the sun is out. However, I can't lie it is BEAUTIFUL here in the fall! The leaves are changing and falling off the trees! I love it when I am inside and looking out! It's not really my favorite when I am treking across campus with all of my stuff and no umbrella. I'm getting somewhat used to it...not that I'm not cold but at least I am now not ashamed when I put on 3 coats and gloves just to walk to class. I am past the point of caring what the other students think haha. I've gotten pretty good at maneuvering my way through other buildings so I spend the least amount of time outside as possible. And I know, I know "it will get way worse, you don't even know", thanks to those of you with your honesty but...I'm cold now and I will be cold then. Please just let me express my freezingness :) thanks. Ha I miss everyone!! I can't wait for the fam to come up next week.

P.S. Jaimie Tanner (Jones) this is for you...seeing you at the library was rather fabulous :) love you!

P.P.S. mom--> i still want my Christmas CD's which include but are not limited to...NSYNC Christmas, Hilary Duff Christmas, Aly and AJ Christmas, Osmond family Christmas, and of course Donny Christmas :)

A fabulous devotional!

So this Tuesday just like every Tuesday we had a devotional...however this one was a bit different than the others! President Monson came to speak! It was so crowded I could not believe it! Lucky for me one of my friends got there 2 hours early and saved seats...which ended up being great seats. It was amazing to watch the entire Marriott Center fill with people 22,000. It was so noisy and hectic but, when the Prophet came in the entire place stood up and it was silent. It was amazing the spirt that could be felt in that building and how silent it was for the Prophet of the Lord. I am so glad I got to be a part of this. It was so cool to be so close to him. President Monson gave his talk on all the prophets he has known in his lifetime. He told a little story about each one and their favorite food, favorite song, and favorite quote. He told a lot of jokes the entire arena was laughing! I am so grateful to be going to a school where the Prophet comes to speak and to be able to take part in a devotional every Tuesday! I love BYU!

Here are two parts of the devotional I loved the most:

“What can we learn from the presidents whom I have known and about whom I have visited with you today? We can learn that they never wavered, never faltered, never failed; that they are men of God.”

“As the 16th President of the Church, my story is yet to be summarized by those who will follow. In the meantime, I pledge my life, my strength — all that I have to offer — in serving the Lord and in directing the affairs of His church in accordance with His will and by His inspiration.”

-President Thomas S. Monson

His entire address was inspiring! He is an amazing man!!

study study study...party party party.

College is great. Let me just start with that! I'm loving it...so many new people, so many new friends. It is simply fabulous. I have been here for only 3 weeks and I think I might be starting to get the hang of this whole studying thing. I am at the library a lot and when my roommate is gone I can study in my new bed (new only because my lovely mother sent up a mattress pad...its like sleeping on a cloud). I have also found some time to do a lot of fun things!! We go to this club every saturday...now do not freak out when I say the word club. It is a wholesome dance party ;) ha anyways I love it! We have gotten frozen yogurt, had midnight picnics, gone on hikes, watched movies, played games, and made treats. It is fabulous here. I have posted three pictures the first is of me and noah hard at work studying in the library! The second is me studying on my bed haha (I thought I needed an action shot) and the third is of me at the loft (the club) with all my girl friends!! I miss you all!

xoxo

kmf

p.s. to makelle: skyping with you was great! let's do it again sometime.

p.s.s I got mail from my nana today!!! I loved it! Thanks nana :) getting mail is the best!!!

Miss Markham came to visit!!

One of my very best friend's Alexa got to come visit me recently! She flies free, I know...lucky her :) So on a spur of the moment decision she flew up Saturday and stayed til the Tuesday after labor day! It was so funn!! We went to the Loft and danced the night away then joined in on all the honking and screaming after BYU won their game! We came home late...as usual and slept in my twin bed together...needless to say it was actually comfortable. We enjoyed church and then drove to Bountiful for a little dinner at Sheryl's...which may I say was DELICIOUS!! O did a great job ;) We drove home just in time for Ward stare, I mean prayer :) haha then out again to hang out with some friends and watch a movie! We ended up sleeping over at our friend Kalyn's apartment because her roommate was gone! It was so fun! We watched our favorite movies and ate treats! It was a great trip! I'm so glad she came!! I missed her soooo much. It's good to have a little taste of home sometimes! Thanks for coming Markham!! I miss you again! Hopefully I didn't scare her away and she'll come back soon :)

I LOVE YOU GIRL!

xoxo

kmf

best aunt ever+lunch+baby squirrels+bakery=great day

Today I went to lunch with one of my favorites...Sheryl Goff. What a great lady!! We enjoyed an afternoon of lunch, a little target (say with french accent please), sonic, and some laughs. Don't worry we managed to stuff our faces along the way. I am highly recommending CLINT'S for subs...greatest sandwich ever (The Clinster). And if that didn't fill you up enough...which it will, or if you just love to find fabulous treat places I would recommend stopping at the Provo Bakery for a delicious raspberry bar yummmmmmm. After filling up our bellies we decided to of course make a sonic run, Sheryl being a valued customer with a VIP tray of course. We ended our adventure with a target run...finding nothing but having a great time. Thanks Sher!! I love you :)

P.S. She also sent me home with a bag of divine apples and some HUGE bread! love her.

Happy Birthday Dad!

This is to the best dad anyone could ever ask for. You're the only dad I know that was happy to come to all my dance recitals and not only did he just attend my dance recitals I always knew that when the stage was dark those few quiet seconds before the dance came on that loud whistle I heard was for me and it was you. I am never unsure about whether or not you're proud of me haha you always are. Yes, me and Makelle act like it bugs us but really we love to hear you say that you're proud of us for doing anything from getting good grades to having a fun weekend. Thanks dad for always being there. Being there when I came home at 11 o clock, ready to watch the mentalist with me. Being there when all three girls in the house are very emotional and you just take it with a smile. Being there when I pitched my first game at softball, when I had my first and last recital, when I cheered at games, when I had my first day at high school, and finally when I had my first day at college. Yes I used to complain about being locked in the car for a drive up to pinetop with you and your lectures, but let me tell you the truth...I loved every minute of it. Those trips were my favorite and I will always remember them. Thank you for showing me all your "good music" and lecturing me on how to be a better person. I hope some of that sunk in and I can turn out to be at least a little like you. You're the most caring person I know, you're the best person I know. I have always looked up to you and I always will. I love you more than anything dad! I love talking to you on the phone at college keep that up :) I miss you so much! I can't wait for you to visit. I hope you have the most amazing birthday, you deserve it. Thanks for being the best dad anyone could ask for. I LOVE YOU!

xoxo

your little girl

just a little encouragement...

I just found this quote (thanks Chelsey and your blog :)) and I thought it fit right into how I am feeling these first few days of college. I hope people are thinking this around me and I am going to try hard to do this too. I love the prophet...and I am so grateful to be at a school where everything is based around the gospel.

"I plead with you to have the courage to refrain from judging and criticizing those around you, as well as the courage to make certian everyone is included and feels loved and valued." -President Monson

15 credits?

So I've begin my first two days at college!! I have gone to all the classes I am going to have so here's a little rundown of my first two days of collegiate education (I'm already getting smarter :))

Being the genius college girl that I am I went to bed at 9 o clock so I would be prepared and ready to get up for my first day beginning with an 8 o clock class...hahahahahhaha just kidding (I had to throw that in for you mom because I know that's what you'd want me to do)

Ok so in reality I didn't get to bed til around 1 o clock because there was just so much fun stuff to do on our last night of no school :) I set my alarm and went to bed soooo excited for what the next day would hold (ha yes I get excited for school). I was a little nervous when I woke up in the morning but, as it may come to a surprise to most of my family, I was able to get up at seven o clock on the dot! No problem there! I had of course picked out the perfect 1st day outfit weeks in advance and it was laid out on my desk haha so I quickly got dressed and ready and headed out the door at around 7:45. Even though my class is no more than a 3 minute walk away I was nervous about getting lost so I left a wee bit early. Luckily I made it to my class with plenty of time to spare and I selected a nice seat on the side with two open next to me (at least leaving new friends with the option of joining me in the row haha) And what do you know...2 boys and girl came and asked if they could sit there...I of course gladly invited them to sit. haha but anyways back to focusing on class cause of course thats what I'm here for. The class I was in was Psychology 111 and it was in a big room with stadium seating...I was amazed at how many scared freshmen could fit in one room. Luckily the teacher seemed pretty nice and that class went by fast.

After leaving I sped walked back to my dorm to switch books and head to my religion class...book of mormon. I met up with my new friend Lauren and we walked together, a little lost, to our class! The class was fulllll!!! But we snuck in the back and listened to the syllabus lesson and such. It was great. We opened with a prayer and a song...oh how I am loving the enviorment up here. Throughout my whole class I was in a panic thinking that I would never be able to find where my next class was and that the mere ten minutes I had was no where near enough time to get there. As I was whispering this to my friend a girl in front told me she had the same class! Woooohooo I had another friend to walk with! So after class we scrambled out and headed to our next class...American Heritage. P.S. everytime I have told someone I was taking this class they have made the big eyed face that says that was the worst class I've ever taken, then tried to turn that into a semi sympathetic smiling face and say "oh well...good luck!" Thanks for the encouragement.

Finally me and my new American Heritage buddy found our class with 2 minutes to spare and walked in to find a HUMONGOUS auditorium almost full with around 400 students!! (rough estimate haha) Again we slid into the only seats we could find and looked up to see a tiny person in the distance on the stage starting to give a lecture...the lights dimmed and....zzzzzz! Let me just tell you...the auditorium is set at the perfect temperature, lights dimmed, and big comfy seat! Are they serious?!?!? There is no way I am staying awake in that class...so I've decided next time I will be front and center...hopefully that will help! After that class I walked out in a daze...called my mom in a panic insisting that there was no way I could take that class and that I'd never learn anything!! So after a short breakdown and a diet coke I was feeling a little better as I walked to my last class...biology. I walked in worried once again who I would sit by and was relieved to hear one of my friends from home say my name! I sat down and we decided to look up our teacher on ratemyproffesor.com hahah. It said and I quote "if you want to learn anything DON'T take this class." But, luckily i don't care about learning anything...i'll just take the A. haha she the proceeded to tell us we have no test no final and no book. Sounds good to me. So after that class I was feeling pretty good! I think I'm gonna love college. So far its fabulous! I've been meeting lots of people doing so much fun stuff!!!

I miss you alll!!! Oh and I decided to put this picture up because this is the only way I'm going to make it through this...DIET COKE. Oh how I love it.

xoxox

kmf

a new beginning.

I have officially spent one and a half nights in the dorms for real...tonight being the half. Tomorrow however it will be two nights. So far...I'm loving it! I'm not gonna lie there are some times where I think "am i ever gonna have more than one friend?" then i meet new people and I feel better. It is a little rollercoaster! In the dorm with my room mate has been good...I must admit it is started a little awkward when I went to bed for the first night. I wondered what I would say..."goodnight tay?", "goodnight roomie?", "see ya tomorrow?", "peace out?", or of course I could always roll over and go to sleep. Not to worry I decided with the goodnight. haha it ended up working out well though.

Today was my first day of freshmen orientation and it was...interesting to say the least. I walked down to the field and was greeted by 6 very very enthusiatic Y group leaders! I think I would've liked it but I was stuck in the wrong group with the "Honors" students...no they aren't smarter. They just think they are more qualified and therefore must "challenge" themselves more. hahaha I stayed there for approximentally .5 seconds. Then we paraded across the street EFY style-the arm linking. The next part of orientation was my favorite!!! We went into the Marriott center and it was amazing to see all the freshmen coming in. We all sat down and a little video about BYU started...it was actually a really cool video and got me a little pumped...yes pumped...to start school. Then we all sang As Zions Youth in Latter-Days! It was loud and amazing! We listened to the president speak and I can't wait to get into the swing of things here! I love BYU already!! The enviorment is unlike any other I am so so so glad that I was able to come here. After that I did skip the cougar walk...oops :)

So there is a little update for all of you...I would write more but I'm too tired...its almost two in the morning here! And no I didn't just get home ;)

I miss you all!

xoxox

kmf

First night!

After a full day of working on my room it is nearly complete! Just a few finishing touches to add. Who knew you could fit so much stuff into so little space...I must say we did get pretty creative with our storage space. My bed is at least four feet off the ground and underneath is drawers full of clothes. Even though I can barley make it up onto the bed without the help of my tiny fridge. Luckily I will only have to get on and off that thing once a day hahah. I'm so glad Makelle and my mom came to help...without them nothing would've been done. A little shout out to my dad, Brayden, and Dawson...thanks for helping in the best way you boys could! Hahaha we had to ask the boys to leave after three hours of them standing in the way wondering what they could do :) But, thanks for your man power and carrying up the heavy stuff! Last night Makelle and I stayed in my room. It was actually really fun! It's crazy that I'm up here on my own already...I think it should be great though. I'm staying positive :) Don't worry I've got all the essentials set up, my 12 pack of diet coke is tucked away under my bed. Well I'm off to shop for those little things I seem to have forgotten!

xoxo

kmf

The beginning in the 801.

After a rather treacherous twelve hour drive filled with much backseat arguing, chick flicks, and lots of diet cokes I have finally made it to the "Beehive State", which for those of you that don't know...it's UTAH! Now that I've made it up here I remember what a fabulous place it is!! The weather is perfect! It rained today...oh how i love the rain! I can't believe its here...college. I drove up to BYU and checked out the campus. It is beautiful...don't worry I already scoped out where I can get a Diet coke close to campus because they are no where to be seen on campus. Somehow it tastes a little better when your having to walk a little ways to get it. So far it seems good up here...I think I'm gonna like it. So Kaytie...please come up and visit! It's your total type of weather! come come come. I miss all my friends though and my family!!

BYU here I come!!!!

xoxo

kmf

To the greatest Nana ever!!!

Nana's are the best, but mine is the best of the best! Today my cute little Nana brought me an adorable pillow to decorate my not so adorable dorm room, it says "hug" on it and she told me that if I miss her thats her hug! Isn't she just the cutest??!

Thanks for everything Nana!

Thanks for the Sunday nights at Nanas.

Thanks for always supporting me.

Thanks for all the delicious treats you make.

Thanks for hemming my pants cause I'm so short.

Thanks for chocolate chip cookies...no one makes them as good as you.

Thanks for Nana sleepovers, i'll never forget those (plus they aren't over yet haha)

Thanks for making holidays the best.

Thanks for always being the best Nana!!! I love you!

Don't worry we will stay in touch! See you soon!!!

goodbye for now..

I didn't think this whole college thing would be so emotional. I am more than excited to get up and start a new life but leaving so much behind has really started to get to me. Last night my entire team at Buckle surprised me with a dinner...it's weird that you can get so close to so many people just by working with them! They are all so great!! I will be sad to leave them and I can't say I didn't tear up a little after but, I'll be back for holiday:) Once I got home I had to yet again say goodbye to someone who means so much to me. One of my best friend's Sadie Jones. I can't believe how close we've become. I know I can rely on her for anything and its sad to think that in this next year things will change a lot! Sadie Jones, I LOVE YOU :) As I went to bed last night, in Makelle's room :), I can't believe that it will be months before I sleep in this house again! This morning Dawson (or as I refer to him, Baby ) let me drive him to school, which for those of you who don't know him, is a very rare occurrence. He even gave me a little kiss on the cheek before he got out of the car. Yet again, let the tears flow. A few tears came after I dropped him off and realized how much he's gonna change before I see him again. I love that little boy! So here I am sitting in my room trying to decide what I need to pack and what I can leave, sad but also very happy. These mixed emotions are killin me!! Goodbye Gilbert...for now. Hello BYU!!!

xoxox

kmf

My best friend...I will miss you!

Dear Makelle,

You've been with me through it all. We've had some grea times together. Disneyland trips, rollerblading dances, cruises, barbies, dress up, nsync concert, saturday shopping, dance recitals, synchronize swimming (what was mom thinking), mocking dad and mom haha :), beach trips, christmas peeking, birthdays, and so much more. Makelle you are my best friend and I don't know what I'll do without you. You'll have to mock mom and dad without me. I can't wait for you to come up and visit me. You know me better than anyone. Thank you for being the best sister anyone could ask for. Thank you for letting me boss you around a little back when we were youngsters ha now you can take over for me at the house. Thank you for letting me come sleep in your room at night after I watch scary movies, or Elizabeth Smart interviews haha. I love you more than anything! But don't worry sister I will see you at Thanksgiving!! You are my other half and my best friend.

xoxo

kmf

Leaving the nest

Pre Highschool

The time has finally come for this little bird to leave the nest. It doesn't seem like long ago I was fourteen, braces, awkward hair style, and a little mascara nervously awaiting my first day of high school. Oh how that time flew by, four years of high school felt like four minutes. So to all you girls out there still trying to get through high school wishing it was almost over...live it up! Enjoy the time you have there!! It goes by way too fast, before you know it you'll be sitting in the same position you were before the great high school years began. A prefreshmen anxiously awaiting your first class, your new friends, and your new first week outfits :)

All the sad growing up feelings aside I CAN'T WAIT for college! New friends, new classes, new life. There is so much to come and I am more than excited for this new experience! There are so many things I have to do before I leave! Who knew all the "little stuff" you had to get to live on your own?! Thankfully I have a fabulous mother who has been through this before and she gladly helped me to pack my entire room into boxes (hahah a LOT of boxes).

xoxox

kmf Pre College