10 things I've learned from Criminal Minds.

1. Never, I mean NEVER, get in your car without checking the back seat first for sneaky kidnappers
2. Don't trust any men, okay anyone...I realize this probably isn't the truth but Criminal Minds did teach it to me.
3. Always let people know where you are going and when, never sneak off alone
4. Trust your instincts
5. NEVER go out alone at night, but I learned this from Shauna as well.
6. Scream if someone tries to kidnap you, NO MATTER what...this is also another little gem I learned from Shauna and Oprah.
7. Keep your kids with you at ALL TIMES.
8. If a man looks creepy, chances are he is creepy so stay away.
9. Gas station bathrooms alone are not a good idea
10.  If your door is unlocked when you get home, you didn't forget to lock it, someone is in there.

So, thank you Criminal Minds you have succeeded in making me much more paranoid than I need to be. But, you are also helping to keep me safe. If only I could stop watching these right before bed, they aren't the best bed time stories...

Best Brothers.

To my cute little brothers. They are the best boys around. I love going home and getting to see the. I love playing basketball in the backyard with them, even if they argue over who HAS to have me on their team...I understand I'm not the best. But without them I would never have learned how to do a lay up or how to "tap out" when they are wrestling me and I am obviously not winning.

I will be home in a few weeks and I am so excited to go on some dinner dates with those little cuties and play some basketball games.

I love you boys!

 

Last year's Christmas pictures, aren't they adorable?!

Those Who Are Different

I am currently taking a class in my program about teaching children with disabilities and I love it! It is my favorite class of the week and I look forward to going every time. The very first class ended with me in tears after we talked about the importance of these children and how close they are to our Heavenly Father. Having worked with students with disabilities before I know how special they are first hand. In high school I was part of the best buddies club and through those three years I learned so much about myself and how to treat other people. I have never seen such geniuine service or Christlike love that I saw in my friend Jaclyn. She truly was a little angel. My reading assignment in class this week was a talk given by Marin K. Jensen entitled "Those Who Are Different" , I love being at BYU and having conference talks assigned as reading. The talk is amazing and I suggest that everyone take a little time and read it. I am so excited to keep learning and working with these students who have disabilities. 

Just wanted to share that little thought :) I hope everyone has a fabulous day! 

Jaclyn and I 

long. short. medium.

Okay so here's the thing. I want to grow out my hair. REALLY bad. Once upon a time, long ago I had long hair. Don't believe me? Look...

Don't mind the fact that I look extremely ridiculous. But this is me, with long hair, as a junior. 

 

 

But I was getting bored with it so, I thought that the best cure for this hair boredom was to chop it off. No, not just get some nice layers or bangs that I would end up hating. Chop it off. I didn't even flinch when the lady braided my long locks and cut that 12 inch braid off. That's right, 12 inches, one foot, GONE. I loved my hair for approximately 3.5 weeks. Then I started seeing all these long haired beauties and wishing my hair was back. And that my friends is when this growing out exhibition began. Ever since then I have tried to grow it out. I will say that I gave in and chopped it again a few times but still, it is taking FOREVER to grow. And it has never ever been the same. So, my advice to anyone that is wanting to cut their hair is to think long and hard about what you are about to be giving up...braids, fish tails, long ponytails, curly locks, beautiful buns...haha the list could go on and on. But I will say there are those people that pull off short hair like no body's business, like my adorable sister Makelle and her cute long bob. So don't let me sway you (or do), I just thought I would share because I came upon the long haired picture yesterday and had a flashback of what life used to be (okay, I'll stop...I'm being a smidge dramatic).

Shortly after I cut my short hair.

This last week, with my favorite boy ever Roan. I love that little cutie!

More treats!

Drumroll please......Here are the last few videos!!

Here we are at Buckingham Palace, enjoying a nice day around London. This is also a debut of my baby cry. I surprised many of the girls with this little gem and I think their reaction here speaks for itself. I thought it went over well, but I guess that depends on how you take their disgusted looks and cringing. Oh and apparently Catie needed a shower?? haha.

I tried to upload one of the Eiffel Tower sparkling but it wouldn't work! Sorry! But, here is the last one. Grant and I spiced up the many, many long walks we went on with a little speed walk racing. Needless to say the eleven year old beat me in this video but I assure you I beat him a few times (which doesn't sound as cool when you know he is only 11, but come on those are some fast legs and look at that form!) 

Just a little treat

Here is a little treat from my trip. I made an entire DVD for my family to watch that includes pictures and videos and is 30 minutes long. But unfortunately (or fortunately) for you it doesn't come in a blog ready format. So I thought I would just post a few of my most favorite videos from the trip. Mind you they are very short and my videographer skills are less than professional (my family complained of motion sickness when I made them watch the videos pre editing haha). 

 

Here is our very first video we took. It was filmed on the coast of Ireland, where we were nearly blown away. Even after the many places we went it is still my most favorite view. 

And of course, one from the Harry Potter premiere. Here the fans are all chanting "We want Pottah", and there are our favorite Brazilian cuties (smellies). 

I can only post two at a time for some reason! But, I have two more so I will post them on the next post. 

back in the real world.

I made it home, which I am sure all of you already know. And I am back in my usual rut of bad blogging. I couldn't even finish out the entire study abroad trip, I know...so lazy! 

In case you were losing sleep over what happened after the lake district I will post a few pictures. After the lake district we headed to Scotland and boy was that a fun time! Edinburgh, where we stayed the first few nights, was amazing! It is a big city with a lot to do. Also we stayed in a hostel that was 5 stars. Yes people, a five star HOSTEL. Which meant there was more than one plug for fourteen girls and we had our own bathroom in our room! WITH A SHOWER. It was muy fabulosa (just practicing Spanish). In my particular room we had 6 girls and let me tell you, it was a great time. We made our way through the big city for a couple of days and climbed one tall mountain then got back on the bus and headed out to see the beautiful northern part of Scotland. The northern part inlcuded a stop at Lake Lochness, no I couldn't find Nessie, a countryside hostel, and a drive through the most beautiful mountains I have ever seen. 


We finished out the trip with two final days in Edinburgh, in a hostel even BETTER than the five star one. It used to be university housing so the rooms were like little apartments. There were five of us together and we each had our own room!! We shared a kitchen, living room, and two bathrooms. It was a great way to finish off and it even made me almost, ALMOST, forget about the jewels that we had stayed in along the way. Cydnee's parents got there three days before we left and it was fun being able to hang out with them a little before I headed home! Janie and Dennis, you are the best! 


The flight home was great minus that fact that my two month long allergy attack somehow turned into a severe sinus infection. I spent approximately an hour and half total in the bathroom with my face on the mirror because it was the only thing cold enough to help my fever. But, I made it home in one piece and so did my luggage! As much as I loved the UK it was great to be back in America where my money actually feels like it is worth something. It was the trip of a lifetime and I am so grateful I was able to experience it. I will never forget it and I made some friends that will last a lifetime. 

So without further adieu here are the pictures.

The monument we climbed to in Edinburgh. 

Catie and I at Lake Lochness, we sure enjoyed skipping rocks.  

Grant and I giving Ole Nessie two big thumbs up!

The most beautiful mountains you will ever see!

The view from the top.

The whole group!

And a picture of my most favorite adopted summer brothers!