Grandma JoAn
My Grandma JoAn is silly, adventurous, animal loving, a gold medalist, world traveler, and the best story teller I know, thanks to the journals she's kept her entire life. Talk about dedication. From cheering me on during my middle school ASB election to attending all my dance recitals from the time I was three, she has always been one of my biggest fans. A fun fact about my grandma is that she has completed her ENTIRE BUCKET LIST. Here's what some of her grandchildren have to say about her. Shaleesa and family: What we love about (great) grandma--- her silly and carefree personality, her kind and generous heart, her desire to set out-of-this-world goals and adventures and achieve them, and always setting an example of loving others and living life to the fullest. You couldn't ask much more from such a wonderful grandmother and great grandmother. Whitney: Grandma has always been a wise sage whilst at the same time being one of my best friends and my favorite person to share giggles with. Gramma, you're an amazing woman and I love you so much! Alex: I love how grandma always keeps something entertaining. I love how she makes chili every time I go over. I love grandma. Grandma Judy My Grandma Judy is the best cook in the world. No, I'm not exaggerating. She is a talented piano player and singer (previous member of the sound singers), a go-girl who never stops until the job is done, a fabulous gardner, a selfless, example of Christ, and a happy spirit everywhere she goes. Right now she is living in Panama for a year and a half serving an LDS mission with my grandpa. I admire her dedication to learn the language and serve endlessly for almost two years straight. Here are what some of the grandchildren say: Audrey: I love Grandma because she's always up for a little competition. I love playing games with her because it's always exciting and she gives you a good laugh. Nathan: I love Grandma because she had my mom. If she didn't have my mom then I wouldn't be here and if I wasn't here then the world would probably die. Madison: I love Grandma because she taught me how to play the piano. She is the reason why I started playing music and for that I am very, very thankful. I also love her because she always makes the best cinnamon rolls.
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Happy Mother’s Day to all you momma’s out there! I have been blessed with an incredibly loving, spiritual, giving, and fun mom. She has taught me many, many, many, MANY life lessons throughout my life. Some that I haven’t always appreciated right away, and some that I didn’t even realize were lessons until now. Nonetheless, I wanted to take some time to talk about a few of these.
Persistence. Whether it’s reading scriptures every night even though it seems like we’ll never finish, training for a half marathon even when sore, or pushing past bumps in the road with kids or marriage or family even when giving up seems easier, my mom has taught me a very important lesson. NEVER GIVE UP! No matter how many times life knocks her down, my mom always gets right back up, and a little taller too. Service. My mom has taught me to value service. Growing up, she always made us wake up early to clean the church or stop our homework to go to youth service activities. She would say “It’s fun! We’re doing service.” That example of a positive outlook on service has stayed with me. She didn’t just make us kids serve, however, she did it too. Making meals for everyone who needed them, treats for weddings or teacher appreciation day, organizing projects for the youth, volunteering at all our schools, games, meets, and recitals. The list goes on and on. She even spends time volunteering at a retirement center once a week. My mom knows exactly what it means to serve others like Christ did. I hope to someday be as selfless as she is. Love for sweets. I wish I could say I have learned to bake and cook like she has but, despite her best efforts to try and get me in the kitchen, I haven’t. I have, however, developed a love for sweets just like my momma. I even found myself keeping a bag of my favorite candies in my drawer at school just like my mom does at home. It might not be the healthiest habit, but I sure do love that I’m following in even the smallest of her footsteps. Hi everyone! I have started a self-kindness project and I am SO beyond excited about it!! The other day I was sitting at home thinking about all the worldly pressures we’re surrounded by. We’re constantly being told how to look, act, dress, talk, and even feel. I don’t know about you guys but I think it gets a little exhausting. That’s why for the next three weeks I have decided to focus on being 100% me and loving every step of the way. Who’s with me?
All you have to do is… One: Think of one way you’re beautiful every single day. At the end of the night record it in a journal. Once you feel comfortable with that, share it with a friend or a family member. Remember, beauty is about more than just looks! Two: Every single time you look in the mirror complete a positive “I am __ “statement. I am silly. I am confident. I am friendly. I am happy. I have the words “I am ___” written on my mirror to remind me. I have found that it helps saying it out loud, even if it feels a little goofy. Three: Try something new!! This can be both easy and fun. I think it is so important to value ‘me time’. Learning a new skill like painting or cooking or trying a sport you’ve always wanted to is a great way to remind yourself how awesome you are. You only have to do this one once but I would encourage you all to at least take a little ‘me time’ each week. That’s it! Three weeks of kindness to yourself. I heard somewhere that 21 days is all it takes to create a habit. How cool would it be to create a habit of being kind to yourself? I can’t wait to report back about my experience and hear how all of yours went. XO Abbey *Inspired by Colin for taking a little time every night to ask me how I felt beautiful that day. Be nice to yourself!! Living in Rexburg, Idaho for the past year has been incredible. It has taught me so many life changing lessons about myself and the people around me. There’s one in particular that I want to talk to you guys about, however, and that is: “How to make a boring town fun!” I am a firm believer that there is fun everywhere you go. There has to be! We were sent to this earth to experience joy so that must mean have a little fun too. Even if you’re living in a tiny town with very limited entertainment options.
I have compiled a list of a few of the things my friends and I did this year. Sometimes we had to get creative, especially when it was negative 20 degrees outside, but it was all worth it. Here it is! If you read my “about” page you might have seen me mention my “cute fiancé”, he’s the one to blame for the creation of this blog. His name is Colin. He is handsome, so funny, the most selfless man alive, dedicated, and about a billion more things. I love him to death. And guess what?! Today marks 100 days until that cute fiancé turns into that cute HUSBAND!!!! I thought it would be fun to celebrate with a post all about him. Well, us. Here’s our story!!
Pre-Dating: It all started in a tiny college town. Rexburg, Idaho. I walked into my class on the first day of school and made eye contact with the cutest boy in the front row. We went on a date that night. Got engaged that weekend and the rest is history. KIDDING. Totally not how it happened. Here’s the real story. My first semester roommate had some friends (two boys) from home who liked to hang out at our apartment. I kept fairly busy and didn’t have a lot of extra time to spend with them but when they decided to go on a day trip to Yellowstone I was not going to miss that. So, I squeezed my way in and had one of my favorite days of the entire semester. A day that led to many more favorite days. A day that turned the boy with his arm around me in all our pictures to the boy down on one knee… but I’m getting ahead of myself ;) First Date: Our first date was a week after the Yellowstone trip. If we’re being completely honest, I had no idea it was a date until he picked me up. I’m sure glad it was, though. We started out driving on some of the backroads. He asked me about my passions, I talked way too much. He told me about his, my heart fluttered. Any girl who’s ever heard a boy talk about their passions knows just how attractive it is. We ended the drive parked under the stars. Somehow, I didn’t notice Colin working his way closer trying to land a kiss so I just kept talking. Eventually, he gave up and rested his head on my chair. He’ll tell you he went the full 90 degrees but I’m sure I couldn’t have been that oblivious. Shortly after, however, he got his kiss. We both did. *Sparks* We then went back to watch some Gilmore Girls, my obsession at the time. The night ended with slow dancing in the silent movie room and Colin whispering Jack Johnson lyrics in my ears. Afterwards, he carried my tired-self back home. I know. Could he get any more romantic?! Somehow, the answer is yes. "Who am I?" Don't tell me I'm the only one who hated that question in school. We all know that awkward first day. Sitting in the classroom, looking around to spot a familiar face, scoping out who will be our go to's for each class project when the teacher gets up, interrupting our search. "We're going to have fun this year." They nod as if it might help us forget the long nights of homework and studying we have to look forward to. "I thought it would be nice to start off with a little ice breaker." Their smile widens as the students groan. The question "Who Am I?" appears on the powerpoint behind them. They inevitably spend the next five minutes telling us about their children, where they studied, the animals they own. Then it's our turn. Our turn to stand up and answer the daunting question. Who am I?
When asked that question in high school I had my "go to" answers: I have three sisters, I like to dance, my favorite color's pink. They were simple, basic, and didn't provoke any questions. Perfect for a high school ice breaker. As I have gotten older, however, The question of my identity has become more and more prevalent. Who am I? Has become a real question that I strive to answer every day. This year I began my studies at Brigham Young University-Idaho. I am studying special education (I know, ironic after reading my first paragraph) and I love it SO much! Getting to work with real people to make real lives better is the most incredible experience. The day I get to start my own classroom will be a day of happy tears for sure. Eventually, I hope to work in a high school but after graduation I'm sure I'll just take what I can get #poorcollegestudent. As I have studied I have learned about a thousand acronyms- you guys have NO idea how many acronyms exist just in special education alone. It's insane! Written millions of words in essays, listened to billions of lectures, and participated in a few, INCREDIBLE simulation activities. In fact, I wanted to share one with all of you that was really life changing in regards to the question, "who am I?" |