Begin Again

 

Usually I am not one to say a semester was hard, difficult, or stressful but this one was. 2013 has brought a lot of new things into my life that I haven't wanted to deal with and then I wait and wait until I get woken up to real life with a slap to the face.

 

 

I am so glad I am now done with finals but I'm leaving this semester knowing I should have and could have done better. I could blame a lot of things on my lack of focus and determintation but what it comes down to is the choices I made and how I used my time.

 

So today I am beginning again. I am making a fresh start with this spring semester. A lot of things are about to change and I am confident that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and that his ways are higher than my ways.

 

With that I announce on my blog that I am going to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This has been a decision I have been thinking about, trying to forget about, pushing aside, waiting on since President Monson's announcement of the age change back in October. Most people that know me will know that this decision did not come from my desire to serve a mission but from my desire to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do.

 

I am excited for this new experience and am terrified to get my blood drawn next week but I cannot wait to hear where the Lord needs me to be. It's hard to accept that everyone I know here at BYU will be graduated by the time I get back but that does not mean that we will stop being friends because everyone will write to me and won't forget me because I'm me....right?

 

And so a new chapter in my book begins. 

Easter

 

Easter happened while we were still in school so we got a group together who wasn't going home to their families and had a nice dinner. It was really fun and great. I love Easter!

 

 

I know the Savior really did rise again. He is the Redeemer of the world. Because of the sacrifice He made, we can all live again with Him and our Heavenly Father. I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for the knowledge and perspective that we have in regards to life, death, our purposes and so many other things.

 

Melissa leaves in less than two weeks!

Melissa Yvette Alvarado

Sorry if this sounds like an obituary, I promise it is not. I know Melissa is not dying but is doing pretty much the opposite.

Melissa and I have known each other since 6th grade but did not become real friends until freshman year of high school. We both started playing water polo and obviously we became best friends. She is wonderful and we have had lots of fun times together. I know we will have more fun times but a lot happens within 18 months but who knows what will happen to either of us within these 18 months like I could have two babies (don't worry this most likely will not be happening seeing as I will be married before I have any babies and who knows when that is going to happen).

 

We have bonded over Taylor Swift. She has a song for everything. We went to two concerts together even though one of them we were seated seperately. This song is our life. (P.S. you have to right click all the links. So just right click everything and then go to copied URL). Usually whenever one of us is sad we will listen to the perfect Taylor Swift songs and all is well again with the world.

 

 

We also just like to do really stupidly funny things together like pretend she has duck legs and I have frog legs. Not to mention Taco Bell trips, seminary, mormals, any dances actually but Mormon dances always top the list of dances. We would get our nails done, have sleepovers, get scared at Knott's Scary Farm and other stupid scary places, play at parks, have boyfriends at the same time, learn great dance moves, and other wonderful things. There are way way way too many to mention. Also Melissa when you read this you have to click on every single link. You don't have to watch the whole video on that last one but every other one you do.

 

 

And then we graduated from the glorious Tustin High School as Tillers. Because Once a Tiller, Always a Tiller. And so we seperated and thought we would die but we didn't. And so you're going on a mission and I think I will at least die because who will I text at anytime during the day or night and they will know exactly what I was talking about but maybe I won't die and we will both rejoice when we get to see each other again! It will be grand!

 

 

Our family has always included you as family and I know you will come back as a stronger disciple of Jesus Christ and your companions will love you and you will have no problem talking to anyone because you are a talker and go teach the people of Africa how Heavenly Father has a plan for each of them! You are going to be great Sister Avacado! Love you and cannot wait to hear all of your stories and experiences!

 

 

P.S. I'm very proud of myself for not crying while writing this so you shouldn't either. Also for some reason these are the only pictures on my computer. I have much better pictures somewhere but not on my computer.

Sorry this is a weird link but it was five minutes to midnight like ten minutes ago here and I can't leave out Boys Like Girls.

 

 

 

I Knit Sweaters Yo

Just a little throwback.

Fight Nights

 

Sometimes Mary gets into a really hyper mood and just wants to wrestle with people. Eric is usually around when this happens and he is in the Jiu Jitsu club so he can easily take Mary out but doesn't go all out so that is good and somehow I get mixed in the middle. Here are just a few pictures that document these weird nights.

 

 

Yeah this whole fight night thing is not my favorite yet it goes on. No one has gotten seriously injured yet but bruises have appeared. 

 

 

FIRE!

Our burner caught on fire when Shelby was trying to boil water so that was exciting.

 

 

Fun day at The Brittany.

What's Up

 Christmas

This past Christmas was great. Genesee, Tyson, Leslie and Nick all came down from Colorado. I came down from Utah and we were all able to see Shauna, Freddy, Christopher, Andrew and Caden before they left to Alaska on their new adventure. We had such a fun time together. I love being with my family. We took "attitude' pictures and helped make some smile bags for operation smile and it was so fun. We had lots of food and laughter and Dad read A Candle in the Window and it was just great. I can never say enough how much I love my family.

Disneyland

During the break I went to Disneyland with Shauna, Freddy and the boys which was so fun. Caden kept calling me Patie and just thought he was so funny. I'm just happy he will let me hold him without completely having a little fit.

Christopher's Baptism

 

Christopher got baptized while I was home too. That was such a good day. He is such a good boy and tries his very best to do what is right.

 

For some reason I'm not able to post any pictures so I guess I'll try to post them later.

 

New Semester

So I've started winter semester and so far so good. I enjoy my classes (I've gone to every single one so far). Last week I walked to school in -2 degree weather. That was cold. It's been in single digits a lot lately. I got a raise at work. I am reading a lot for my classes but I enjoy it so far so it's all good to me. This semseter will be pretty hard but it will be great. I am excited.

 

Anyway that is what's going on right now!