Coming Home

I got to go home to Idaho last weekend with the Higginson's following the BYU game (which I got on the jumbotron 4 different times. Yes, that is a new record for me!). I was really excited to see my sisters and the Higginson's. 

We took a lot of photos, and I think the photos say it all. I love my little buddies. 

Whipped Cream

Every other Sunday, we have a family dinner. At the last family dinner, our dessert was brownies with whipped cream. I asked if I could have a lot of whipped cream. Of course, the answer was yes! I put my whipped cream on. 

I wasn't kidding. I really like my whipped cream. 

Time to Catch Up

I have come to the conclusion that life is always going to be hectic. I feel like my life is especially hectic, but I also know that everyone else's lives are probably just as hectic, if not more. 

There's no point in complaining about my crazy life because I wouldn't want an uneventful life! 

I have, however, gotten really behind in my blog. My blog is something that I love and always look forward to! I always set aside time in my schedule to blog, but then when it comes up, either my computer is stupid and won't let me upload anything, or else, something comes up and blogging gets put on the back burner. 

NO LONGER. 

Blogging is extremely therapeutic for me. I absolutely love sitting down and pouring out my thoughts and feelings. I am sure sometimes, you all think, "Why the crap is Alice posting about this? It is so random and pointless!" Well, there are three main reasons why I blog.

#1: To keep everyone informed on my life. If someone wants to stay up on what is going on in my life, there is my blog! If they don't, they won't ever look at my blog. 

#2: I don't have any more room for journals. They take up so much space, and a blog is faster, and I am able to save photos and videos to it!

#3: I do it mainly for me. I am the type of person that holds all of their emotions on the inside. Writing is the one way to let all my emotion out without sugarcoating it. I want to keep a record of my life for my kids and grandkids that I will have one day, and this is how I can do it. This blog will always be here. To me, everything on here is important, and I post it because it is something I want to remember. I may share things that are a little personal, or even a little stupid, but that's me! Everything on here, in one way or another, is part of who I am.  

I am going to try and do better at keeping my blog up to date so that I don't have posting overload, but it may take a while to get my schedule under control. Haha!

But for today, here's to blogging!

Homecoming week with Kathy and Cosmo!

Dinner with my Roger!

Patellar Tendonitis Study

About a month ago, I was super bored in one of my classes (go figure haha) and decided to look around at studies that BYU is doing. I discovered a study that was looking for people with patellar tendonitis.

Oh, I have that!

(PS, Patellar Tendonitis is tendonitis in the tendon that connects my knee cap to my other leg bone. It is locating directly below the knee cap. 

So, I sent an email to the man doing the study to see if he still needed participants. He did, so I went in for a check-up, and I was exactly what they were looking for!

For the last two and a half weeks, I have been going in to the BYU athletic training room and having treatments done on my leg. 

First, the very first, middle, and last appointment, they tested the strength in my leg by hooking up my leg to a roped thing and having my pull as hard as I could. Of course, I couldn't get it to go anywhere because I have no muscle. 

Next, on those three appointments, I also had to sit and stand up ten times in a row to see if it triggered pain in my tendon.

Then, every appointment, I filled out a questionnaire, put my pain on a scale of 1-10, then they pulled out a machine that looked like a drill, only the end wasn't sharp. The trainer, Brett Mortensen, took the drill thing and put it right on my tendon. He would push as hard as I could handle the pain. I held a red button in my hand that I pushed as soon as I could not handle the pain anymore. The only problem was that I have a really high pain tolerance.  I could handle more pressure than they could possibly exert on my leg. Hahahahaha!

The funniest thing, though, happened at my last appointment. There was a big football player that was in the training room at the same time as me each day. He finally asked what we were doing, and if Brett could try it on him, too! Brett went and starting pushing on the football player's leg, and instantly I could see the pain evident on this boy's face. He finally reached the point where we couldn't take the pain and pushed the button. He said, "Oh man. Please tell me I got more than she did!" Brett said, "Well, you got about 31, and her average is 35." Hahahahaha! Good thing I am tough!

Then, when all the treatments were done, medication was injected into a band-aid type thing that had a battery in it! The battery shocks the medication into my leg. Basically, coolest band-aid ever. And it has a light that blinks! So cool, huh!?!

Then, yesterday, I got to open the envelope that told me whether I was the control group or not. Turns out, I was the control group, so starting next week, I get to start real treatments on my left leg! I am really excited! I hope it works!

Here is the band-aid!

I Want a Monkey

For years, I have dreamed of getting a monkey. 

Mark my words, I will own a monkey one day....hopefully, sooner than later. 

I want one of these monkeys. 

That is all. 

Haunted Houses

Well, it's Halloween time! You know what is my favorite part about Halloween? 

The Haunted Houses!

I love love LOVE scary things! 

Ashley, Parker, Dallin and I got tickets and went to a Haunted House in Salt Lake! It wasn't the scariest haunted house, but it was pretty trippy!

Part of the Haunted House was the 13 Levels of Fear! The trippiest part was definitely the room that was spinning. I was walking on a bridge type thing that was turned, and then the tunnel surrounding it was spinning. It was really hard to walk because it felt like I was spinning, too. Holy trippy!

Music Monday: Sad

I am getting so behind on my blog! 

HOLY GOODNESS.

I have so many posts that I need to put on here from the last week and a half, but this kinda important thing....college....keeps getting in the way.

WHO DOES THAT?

Until I can put my other posts on, enjoy my music choice for today.

This is my song for today. I am so in love with it.

Here is Sad from Maroon 5!

ENJOY!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovP1XkecXrk

Music Monday: The Scientist

I absolutely LOVE The Voice.

Now being in college, it is harder to stay up on my shows, and especially this one because it is four hours long each week. Somehow, this past week, I managed to watch all four hours of it!

I am torn between two songs that I absolutely love from this past week! I am someone that absolutely LOVES covers. 

Here is this weeks Music Monday: Holly Henry with The Scientist

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkRWubKiAIg

and also, Caroline Pennell with Anything Could Happen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPosG1unuwM

ENJOY!

Gethsemane

Friday afternoon, I was informed that my little Aspen Grove buddy Bree was getting baptized! How could I possibly miss this opportunity?!? I drove up to North Salt Lake after going to the temple Saturday morning, and I surprised Bree. The look on her face was priceless, and it made me tear up. I seriously love that girl so much. 

I was so proud of Bree. I feel like most children get baptized because they understand you get baptized at 8, but Bree knows why. She has a testimony of this gospel. What an example to me!

Anyways, during the baptism, Bree and her cute little friend sang a song that I had never heard before, but it touched my heart more than Bree will ever understand. 

This is the song she sang, and I wish I could have had a recording of them singing it because it was so beautiful. Anyways, here it is!

(In case this video doesn't work, follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVTCCP5a510 )

Isn't that song absolutely beautiful? It truly has made me ponder at how blessed we are to have the power of the Atonement in our lives. It is truly humbling. 

We are so lucky to have Christ, who so willingly suffered "pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and sicknesses of his people" - Alma 7:11

Christ didn't just suffer for our sins to make up the parts where we fall short, but He suffered every pain and affliction we have gone through and ever will go through.

HE HAS BEEN THERE BEFORE.

He knows exactly what I am going through, and He knows exactly what I need to get through it. I have felt His arms around me so many times in my life when no one else seemed to understand what I was going through. 

Even today, I go through things that no one else can even begin to comprehend. I am really good at putting a smile on my face and acting like nothing is wrong, but with God, I can be completely honest, and He helps me so much. It literally brings me to tears just thinking about it. I love that my relationship with Him only continues to strengthen, and I hope and pray that each and every one can have a close relationship with Him, too.

The first time I saw this video, I was visiting a ward here in Provo, and I started bawling. I am pretty sure that I scared the poor teacher and other students in the class, but the Spirit was so strong.

(In case that video doesn't show up, follow this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdN8rfwW3SI )

I want everyone to know that I know this gospel is true. I know it without a doubt. 

Football & Star Tripping

On Friday, Kathy and I went to the football game together!

Not living at Aspen Grove and being with Kathy and Karen 24/7 is really hard for me, so any time that I get to spend with Kathy and/or Karen is completely relished. 

Then, we went to Carl's Jr., then to Brad's apartment for hot chocolate, thennnnn my favorite part of the entire night: STAR TRIPPING.

Have you ever been STAR TRIPPING??

Holy heavens. It was hilarious. I almost peed my pants because I was laughing so hard. 

You look up at the stars, spin as fast as you can, and then someone shines a light in your face, and you drop like you don't know what is going on. 

WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS BEFORE? 

All I am saying is that next time I am in Idaho, I am having a star tripping party.

But seriously.

Music Monday

Last Thursday, I went with Roger, Alissa, and Jake to a concert at UVU. 

This was the band, and HOLY GOODNESS. They were good!

In honor of We are the Strike, here's to Music Monday!

The Holy War

Well, this weekend was the Holy War. I am guessing everyone already knows how it ended up, so I won't go into the details. We lost. Again. 

I don't think I am being out of line when I say that the refs didn't help us much. I felt like the calls were very one-sided, and the calls that needed to happen, didn't. 

But, maybe that's just me.

However, putting the loss aside, I had such a fun time! Megan and I went shopping before the game, and we found matching outfits! 

We had a lot of fun with a photo shoot beforehand!

Then, we got to the game, and I hopped in line with some buddies from my ward (thank heavens for that!)

And then, of all the people in the world, guess who ends up sitting next to me?!?

Yep, MY BEST FRIEND!!!

My Decision about a Mission

As many of you know, I have had a strong desire to serve a mission my entire life. As I got older, this desire only grew immensely. 

I have felt like the Lord has done so much for me, that the least I can for for Him is serve an 18-month mission to help bring others unto the Gospel. 

I have seen the blessings of the Gospel in my life, and I know of its truthfulness. I want nothing more than to share this Gospel with others. 

When the announcement was made last October to lower the age in which girls can serve missions, I truly felt it was an answer to my prayers. I had wanted so badly to serve a mission, but I didn't want to wait until I was 21. I wanted it ASAP. Then, I got what I wanted.

I did the math and started a countdown on my phone as to the day my papers could be submitted. The date was April 22. 

As the day approached, I felt more and more uneasy about the mission. I wanted to go, but in praying about it, the Lord was telling me that it wasn't the path I should go. I finally got my answer in March that I should not go. 

I don't find it a coincidence that my broken ribs acted up around this time, and would have made it very difficult to get medically cleared to serve a mission, as well as I am not able to get my wisdom teeth out because of the way my body reacts to surgeries. The risks definitely outweigh the benefits.

I didn't understand the reasoning behind me not going, but I knew there was something that would be happening in those 18 months that I needed to be here for. 

I decided to not turn in my papers, and the decision was not an easy one. It is hard to watch my friends open their calls, and I always want one, but the Lord constantly reassures me that it is not my time to go. Maybe in the future, but not right now.

As hard as this was, I have come to the realization that I don't need to serve a mission to be a missionary. I can be a missionary every day! I can live what I believe and be an example to others. I already have had missionary experiences, and have had many things happen in my life that wouldn't have happened if I had gone on a mission. 

I know without a doubt that the Lord has a plan for me, and all I need to do is trust in him. He will guide me. All I need is faith and to be obedient.

Like my Aunt Connie once told me, "We don't always know why, but we can always know what to do."

Married in a Minute

Yes, the rumors are true. I'm married. 

Well, kinda married.

It all happened so fast.

Literally, one minute I was single, and then next, I was married with 20 kids.

How did this happen?

It happened because I got my calling for my singles ward!

What is this calling?

I am the FHE Mom! Which means I have a husband! and 20 kids! Holy cow!

I am pretty sure I am younger than all of my kids, too. 

Hahahaha.... but I am really excited about this calling!!

So, I guess I am married while still being single.

That's just the way I roll.

Study Buddies

The other night, I was sitting in the library doing my homework at 9:30 at night when my phone rang. 

It was Roger Maxwell.

For those of you who don't know, Roger is my cousin. My family is extremely close, and my entire life, my cousins and I have all dreamed about living by each other. 

Well, folks. For Roger and I, that dream has come true. Roger lives less than a mile away.  

Anyways, Roger wondered if he could come do homework with me in the library! I told him that I guess BYU could settle for letting a UVU student use its resources. 

Honestly, though. Don't I have the best study buddy around?

And, crazy enough, we actually get all of our work done.

Even though he does go to UVU, I am so beyond grateful that he lives so close to me and that I get to see him as often as I do! Just with Sammy Boy was here, too!

The Men of Provo

Back home in Idaho, I was getting extremely discouraged because of the way I (and my friends) were treated by the boys. I hated the crude comments that were made to us, and the constant tearing down simply because it made the guys feel better superior to us. 

I was sick of getting asked on dates, and my date never showing up.

I was sick of the lack of standards that SHOULD have been present, but weren't.

NO JOKE.

I was with some boys when the conversation of Prom came up and who it was that they would ask. The one criteria that the boys used to choose their date was which girl they would get the most from. 

Generally speaking, girls were treated like and viewed as items instead of human beings.

Granted, not every boy was like that, but every boy that wasn't like that was my relative. Go figure. Haha

But then, I came to Provo.

I was asked on dates, and the boys actually showed up. 

THEY SHOWED UP.

Not only did they show up, but they held my doors for me. I have even had a guy that I wasn't on a date with who grabbed me and pulled me away from the door so that he could open it for me.

The manners of some men here are completely awesome.

Last Tuesday, I was sitting at our kitchen table doing my homework when there was a knock at our door. I answered it, and a boy from our ward came and and just started talking with me. He was such a sweetheart, and then after a few minutes, he asked if he could help me do the dishes. So, we did the dishes together! No boy back home would do that. 

Then, in the middle of doing dishes, two more boys showed up and said, "So, it's sister appreciation week, and we are suppose to do something nice for you. Can we take out your garbage?"

Then, it all made sense. Hahahahaha....

We even received flowers and cookies from these boys! Isn't that so sweet?

Honestly though, I am so thankful for the boys I have met here, and how they have treated me. 

There is one boy that has had the biggest impact in my life since I left home, and I don't know if he will ever read this, but if you do, THANK YOU. You will never understand how thankful I am for you and the time you spent with me. I loved every second of it, and I always will treasure it. There is so much that I could say and want to say, but I don't know how to say it. I hope you truly understand how much I mean it when I say thank you, or I should say Gracias. :) 

Music Monday

This song, though.

A Week in the College Life

Well guys, it is official. 

I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT.

Now, it is time to catch up on my life. 

First, I had to say goodbye to my family back home, once again. I love my little sisters with all my heart. 

I think Hannah looks just like me. 

Then, it was off to college. 

First stop, ORIENTATION.

So, they split us up into different groups according to our majors, and I just so happened to be put in the same Y group as my friend, Megan. 

Coincidence? I think not.

Orientation scared the crap out of me. I feel like there is no way that I will get into the Nursing Program. I feel so pressured to get all A's right now. It is kind of insane.

Megan and I started a weekly tradition to go to the temple, and I have already felt it bless my life. I am not stressed with my classes, even though I should be. In fact, we are even going at 6 tomorrow morning!

I started classes, and I am in Pre-Nursing, Marriage & Family, Book of Mormon, Human Development, Interior Design, and Chemistry. 

Also, I have met the most amazing people, and I love them dearly. 

I had my first football game last night, 

On my way to the stadium, I got stuck in this storm. This is just the beginning. The wind picked up to the point where leaves and branches were hitting me, and it hurt! Then the rain came... more like I felt like a giant bucket of water was dumped on me. I was able to hurry and run to the Marriott Center to get kinda protected from the rain. I waited an hour, then went to the game. It was fun! And wet! 

Oh, and guess what!?!

WILL AND I MADE IT ON ESPN.

That is the most attractive photo I have ever seen, if I do say so myself.

Well, that is all :)

Music Monday

I think that every Monday should be Music Monday. My sister, Sarah, and I are always looking for new music to listen to, so we have a lot of random songs that we love. My first Music Monday goes to my current favorite band.... PARACHUTE.