My Mother

So I may have neglected my blog for a little bit. I thought last semester was busy. But, this semester is another kick in the bootay, if ya know what I mean.

Anyways, today is my mom's birthday and she is seriously an incredible lady. I am so grateful for her and for all of her sacrifices that she does for me and my family. She has gone back to school to get her degree in Elementary Education. I don't know how she does it as she is still a full time mom too. She will finally be graduating at the end of this year. I am extremely proud of her and all of her accomplishments. My mom is always looking out for others and making sure that their problems get solved before her own. I am so grateful for my mom and all that she does for my family and me. She is one of the most selfless people I know.

Happy Birthday, Mommy! You are seriously the best. Love you!

xoxo

Happy Christmas

Christmas has always had a very special place in my heart. I'm sure I'm not the only one. I love the Christmas season. Most everyone is happy and Christmas music is playing everywhere. I love it. Also, there seems to be a lot of love this time of year too.

For some reason, this year seemed especially memorable. It could just be because I'm getting older or it could just be because I really want to cherish these precious moments with my family.

This morning, my family and I woke up early and we opened our stockings to see the gifts that Santa brought us. After that, we quickly got ready to go to listen to a great Christmas program and to be reminded and refocused on our Savior Jesus Christ. It was very touching for me this year. After church, I honestly didn't feel the need to open our gifts under the Christmas tree. I felt that it really isn't important. With my whole family I knew that we still had to open the presents because of the little ones waiting impatiently.

I will have to admit that I got some awesome gifts. Some may call them nerdy, but I think that they are awesome. Santa gave me a Harry Potter Trunk/Chest and inside is the complete

set of the Harry Potter series. I was practically leaping for joy. I say practically only figuratively because if I really was leaping for joy, I probably would have knocked down the Christmas tree.

Another awesome thing: Severus Snape's wand (be jealous)!! and a Writer's Quill. I'm going to have to learn some calligraphy. So cool!

Besides all of the presents, this has been an incredible Christmas day. My family and I spent our Christmas dinner at my grandparents. It was such a great time to spend together with all of the family. I am so grateful for the close relationships that we have with one another. It makes this Christmas season a wonderful and memorable day.

Merry Christmas! XOXO

Goodbye Fall Semester 2011

I really do love winter. I love the snow. I know I don't live in the coldest state (Arizona), but I still love it. It could also just be the pictures of winter that I love. Maybe.

Hallelujah! It's Christmas break. This means no more classes for a few weeks, I can sleep in (mostly), and I can sort of do what I want. Sort of.

I know for a fact that I have achieved one of my goals: I did not get hit by a bicycle, a skateboard, and not even a longboard. I am so happy! I am super grateful. It's those little things, right?? Hopefully next semester will be the same.

If any of you were wondering about my Travel Writing story, I did do pretty good on it, but I just don't want to post it. If you wanna know about The Musical Instrument Museum, just know this: It is super awesome and definitely worth going to visit.

My Nutcracker performance was this past weekend. Stressful, but it was very good. Great experiences. I had the wonderful opportunity to dance as Arabian and in Waltz of the Flowers. Arabian is supposed to be danced with a bit of a seductive flair. I will tell you this: I felt very awkward and struggled with it. Nevertheless, I think I finally gained some confidence by the time we performed it. It also might have helped being on stage and in costume.

I did have a bit of a trial these past few weeks. Exactly three weeks before the Nutcracker performance, my knee was giving me problems enough that I couldn't dance. Such a freakin' bummer, and it was so timely right??? With a lot of physical therapy and prayers, my knee felt better and I was able to dance without any pain in the performance. I feel so blessed!

XOXO

November Came and Went

I was planning on blogging sometime in November, like during Thanksgiving break, but obviously that didn't happen.

Here's a few things since my last post:

One of my friends since 1st grade was married on 11/11/11 - awesome! She looked absolutely gorgeous. It was wonderful seeing her since I practically haven't seen her since high school graduation, I think.

For my travel writing class this semester, I had to pick a destination (in Arizona preferably), go there, find a unique angle about the place, write it, and take pictures, and interview people. I chose the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix. I've never heard about it, but it seemed interesting. I didn't really want to go anywhere out of the valley because I just can't with school and ballet. I just don't have time.

So I went there, and it is seriously a really awesome place. Most people hear museum and think, "Ugh, BORING!!" In all honesty, it is not boring at all. There are musical instruments displayed there from all over the world and it is so awesome! Like I said, I wrote a travel story on it for my final story in that class. Maybe I will post it if I get a good grade on it. Maybe.

THANKSGIVING. It was great. I helped my mom cook food. I made the most glorious cheese ball (I wish I took a picture of it because it is the biggest hit every year). This year my dad and my brother deep-fried the turkey. Pretty cool and delicious.

My family and I went over to my Lamb grandparents' home for a big family feast. Some of us played whiffle ball, and some of us worked on and finished a puzzle. So fun! I love Thanksgiving.

My wonderful Grandma Lamb and me (my grandpa is behind us)

I am once again dancing in The Nutcracker! Woo! Another year. Great memories. This year I am dancing the roles of Snow Soloist, Arabian, and Waltz of the Flowers Soloist. It's great!!

Shoot, life is busy. I am really looking forward for this semester to end in hopes that it might slow down just for a little bit.

xoxo

Escuela!!

I probably should have posted this a long while ago.

This semester is a beast. A big, huge one. So I have set some goals for myself to keep and do to help me get through this semester.

Goals:

1. Don't get hit by bicyclists this semester. (I did last semester and she wasn't even sorry... lame!)

2. Don't procrastinate - I'm doing so much better at this!

3. Breathe and Smile.

4. Don't give up - oh boy, sometimes it's tempting.

5. Do not let your guard down.

6. Sometimes drinking Mountain Dew and eating Skittles and Starbursts is okay to do to stay up to write a paper.

7. Stay hydrated (drink water).

8. Exercise - free the mind.

9. Have some me time.

10. Sleep.

Red. Orange. Gold. Pumpkin Spice.

I don't know about anyone else, but I am really looking forward to the fall season - especially in Arizona, although I think it gets skipped over and goes straight on to winter. Or maybe it never really reaches winter...

I love Bath and Body Works scents!!

These are just some outfit ideas for the fall/winter

Anyways, I absolutely love the fall scents like pumpkin spice and everything that smells nice. I love the colors changing - although that doesn't happen here too. I can't wait for it to be cold. I can't wait to start wearing coats and boots and scarves. I can't wait to bundle up and sit next to a fire. There are so many things I'm looking forward to in the fall that I hope that it will come quickly.

Footsteps

Throughout my study abroad trip this summer, I made it a goal to take pictures of where my feet have been so that I don't have to keep pinching myself to remember that I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the United Kingdom. Most of the pictures probably look very similar, but the UK is just absolutely beautiful. I will always remember the wonderful times that were spent there.

Ireland

Wales

England

Scotland

This entire trip will always have a place in my heart, especially all of the places that I have visited. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I had to be able to experience all of this.