A Quarter of a Century...                                                    1-15-17

After three weeks of vacation, I'm back in Provo.  As a grad student, I still feel like I'm on vacation at times due to the deficit of homework that naturally comes from graduate school.  This lack of homework is a blessing, but also a burden, as I need to fill my extra time up with things... and at this point in my life, I try to fill it up with social outings.  It's hard work.

Birthday Surprises and Fun

My birthday was more eventful than in the past few years.  The key is to try and keep it a secret, and as soon as everyone realizes your tactics, they want to make the day as gradioso as possible... this worked for me this year :)  Score.

Maddy decorated the kitchen for me... no wonder she was so excited for me to leave for the gym :)

It was very sweet of her

 I went to the ropes course with my roommates and Kierra Clark.  Good times!  The balancing was different than what my body was used to doing for exercise.  Maddy paid for me... I did not approve!!!  Some people are too nice.  I love hanging out with these girls and it's so cool to see Sister Clark whenever I can.

Upon returning home, Maddy made me a DELICIOUS mango, carrot cake.  So good.  We were all in sugar comas when we went to sleep :)

Fun with Food and Crafts

Since I had my birthday, I decided that it was a great time to mass-produce thank-you cards.  I have been in the process of decorating them for a while now.  Each one is so cute!!!  And if I don't think that it's the most professional, I can always use the excuse that "My 3 year old nephew helped me color them :)

We also get free Peanut butter from the church in the major.  I prefer crunchy so I buy my own, but I gave Maddy a present for just always being there:

My roommate gave me a dress, and I've recently started editing pictures!!! Here are some edits of pictures... kind of crafty I guess :)

Since returning from the Philippines, I've remembered how great Mom's cooking was.  Also, I've started eating cabbage with everything!  Here is a typical MOM Philippino meal below that I made here... cabbage, rice, carrots, egg, raisins, etc.  Also, a mass production of soup... My roommates might hate me a bit until the freezer clears out, but oh well :)

Fun with Nieces and Nephews

Cassie, the kids, and I went up to Midway to see the Ice Castles.  It was so cool... in more than 1 way.  We went up right before sundown so that we could witness it's glorious splendor lit up at night as well.

Nolie and Conrad were very bundled up

Bennett kept me warm

Trying to teach Bennett to walk.

Isn't this boy the sweetest!

Fun with Service

As a YSA, Service is something that really allows me to feel joy.  I'm so grateful that I'm able to work in the temple every Wednesday night.  It's such a happy place.  I am also able to go and do work for our family who have passed on before us.  Family history work is a great way to spend sunday's.  They say that it is also good for the younger generation because they can get their technology fix... maybe that's a good idea for daily "Screen time :) "

I also got to babysit my friend's baby Saturday night for a few hours.  She's only 4 weeks old and so tiny!  While there, I watched a super inspirational show called "My All-American" on Netflix.  It's a tear dripper, but I would for sure recommend it.  So clean and no language too!  True story about Freddie Steinmark, who came behind in everything in life to play for University of Texas in 1969 or so.  You HAVE to watch it.

Fun with Guys..,.

Yeah, I got nothing right now, except with this guy...

Have a great week!!! Love you all!!!