Crazy Weekend

This is way behind but a few weeks ago I had a very crazy {but super fun} weekend.

It started Thursday...with a celebration of Torrie's birthday. Her real birthday was on Friday (the 23) which happened to be the day of Jess' wedding, so we decided to celebrate early. We went to the gym and the temple, got ready, and then headed up to Salt Lake. I treated her to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen (one of our favorites) and then took her to a concert with my favorite band (a little selfish...I know, but she ended up loving them too and now I have her obsessed). We didn't know where the concert was so we both dressed in a shirt and jeans.  As we got there we discovered it was outside and the weather was kind of chilly. Solution: we drove to the gateway and bought matching sweatshirts. Cute huh? A quick drive back to the concert and we were ready to party.

We got there right as Hey Monday was getting on stage. I've had their album for a while and really like their sound. I was super impressed with how they sounded live - just like they do on their album. It was really cool. Then....TRAIN!!! Words can't describe how amazing it was. I know...I'm obsessed. It was such an entertaining show. I loved it.

Please excuse these terrible pictures...they were taken from my phone.

Pat Monahan...and Train!

Matching sweatshirts haha

Torrie's new best friend. This girl was so wasted...it was another show all in itself!

 We made some sober friends too! 

Unfortunately the fun stopped right after the concert. I had to go back to my apartment and clean for the cleaning check the next day. Starting to clean at midnight is never a good idea. 

The next day was Jess and Ryan's wedding!  Torrie and I were off toward the Salt Lake temple pretty early that morning in our cute bridesmaid's dresses. Unfortunately, it was raining and pretty chilling that morning.

Outside the temple...aren't our flowers pretty??

Jess was beaming, of course, and looked beautiful despite the rain. After some quick picture taking, the party was off to the Grand America for lunch. 

Jess and Ryan entering the luncheon. 

The food was delicious and the program put on by the families was so cute. I was honored to get to be a part of it all. 

After the luncheon everyone had a short break before the reception. I took a quick, much needed nap and then was off for some more partying. The reception center looked great and the desserts were delicious. 

Jess and her dad dancing.

Friends. 

Walking out toward the car. I LOVE the sparklers.

The next day I drove back to Vegas with my mom and got to stay there for a little, which I always enjoy. Overall, one of the best weekends I've had in a while. Thanks for letting me celebrate your birthday with you Torrie, and congratulations Jess and Ryan! I love you all. 

Mommy Dearest

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!

Today my mom is celebrating her birthday. I won't reveal which one of course...but, since I didn't do a mother's day post, I think she deserves a little shout out.

My mom is the greatest.  Twice in the past year she has come to Provo for less than 24 hours just for me (ok...one was for Jess but still). I know she wishes she could stay longer, but the other three kids and husband at home keep her busy. Even when she isn't here I can always call her and, even though she doesn't usually answer the first time haha, she always calls back and is willing to help. I can call her to edit papers, solve problems, listen to me think out-loud, and brainstorm ideas for me. Whenever I have a random question, she is the first person I turn to. The amazing thing about all this is she does that for all of her kids. She is so busy but so willing to take on more. It's crazy. 

A few weeks ago my parents were out of town so I went to Vegas to babysit the kids. I 'played mom' by taking the kids to their games and lessons, cooking meals, and cleaning the house. By the end of the weekend I was exhausted. I realized a little of what my mom does everyday...without the bill paying, grocery shopping, and everything else that comes with the job of homemaker. 

Basically what I am saying is thank you mom! I appreciate everything you do for all of us. Happy birthday and I love you!

Drew

So...I have known about this for a while but have just now gotten around to blogging about it. My little (only in age...not in size) brother Drew has decided to come to BYU next year!! I am beyond excited about this. Probably more excited than he is...but that's okay.

I want to brag about Drew for a minute because he seriously is the coolest kid I know and I am honored to have him as a brother.

Isn't he cute? I think majestic is the word he used to describe this picture haha.

Drew is all-around amazing. He is a genius, super athletic, a great leader, and one of those guys that everyone likes.

I could only find basketball pictures but he is also a captain of the volleyball team this year and is super good at that too.  He probably doesn't know this but watching him play basketball is one of my favorite things to do. It makes me proud...kinda weird...but true. I'm jealous of the way that he is great at any sport he plays. He was just named one of the top 10 best high school athletes in southern Nevada this year...way cool.

Besides being a genius and all-star athlete, Drew is student body president this year and even started his own business with a few friends. Most importantly, Drew is a great example to our little siblings. I have especially loved watching him mature in the gospel...and seeing him baptize our little brother was really special. 

Drew and I are three years apart so we have always been pretty close. He has always been big for his age so people used to think we were twins.  Now they usually think he is older than me (the foot height difference doesn't help anything) or that we are dating (awkward...especially when he makes me pay for everything).  I remember some pretty bad fights growing up, but I am glad we are past that part of our lives. I am so happy that we get along so well now. I know I can talk to him about anything...and I'm pretty sure he feels the same about me. We have done some really funny stuff together...like dressing up for the Harry Potter midnight showing....

I am so excited to spend my last year at BYU with Drew...he has always been a great example to me and I can't wait to live close to him again. Welcome to Provo Drew!

My Fix

Today I woke up grouchy. I don't really know why. There wasn't really any good reason. I was just in a bad mood. There is a lot going on now...a lot to think about. I hate waking up in a bad mood though...it just makes the rest of the day harder. 

So to fix this I went running. It's beautiful here today so I decided to go outside instead of heading off to the gym like I normally do. Instantly I was feeling better. There is something I get from running outside that I can't get from anywhere else. It's a high...it really is. I tried not to think about all of the worries and stresses that I have. I just thought about running - I focused on my form, on powerfully putting one foot in front of the other, and on swinging my arms effectively. I thought about how grateful I am to have a body that can run. I thought about how grateful I am for the beautiful weather and the nature that surrounds me (even though there is a chance of snow tomorrow...let's just not talk about that).

I had originally planned on just doing a short run since I hadn't run outside in a while and it usually takes some getting used to, but when I reached the point where I was going to turn around I didn't want to. I just kept going and turned a short run into a medium-length run and it was one of my best decisions of the day (I realize it's only 11...but still). 

Not everything is fixed...but it's a lot better. I'm still a little stressed and a little worried, but I am in a better mood. I am happy now and a happy me can take on stress a lot better than a grouchy me.