Real Life

Is this real life? Have I really completed my first semester of college at BYU? Have I really survived living away from home for 4 months? Has it really only been 4 months? Am I really going home in 2 days? Do I really have no homework to do over break? Can I really just relax and be with family and friends over break? I am so excited. Also, I get to see Amy tomorrow.

Quick update: 

Saturday I went to the Salt Lake Temple with my ward and had a grand time. 

Finals are DONE. 

I've got the cutest roommate ever. 

(And a Christmassy apartment.) 

Tonight I watched Phantom of the Opera, aka one of the greatest musicals ever. 

THIS IS REAL LIFE. 

Count Your Blessings (Instead of Sheep)

Despite the impending doom of finals week, I've had a very good week thus far. Here are some highlights:

Monday: Caroling with llamas. Yes, you heard me right. Llamas. 

(Can I also say how much I love this gal to my left? Well, I do. She makes this crazy experience even crazier. And she's great. And fantastic.)

Tuesday: White Christmas put on by BYU. So good. 

Wednesday: Subway with the gang, and the beginning of Christmas episodes of cable TV, starting with Modern Family. Passed the last cleaning check of the semester, too!

And its only Thursday. 

And Christmas is coming. 

So soon. 

I'm excited. 

Dang, I'm a happy gal. 

I'll Be Home For Christmas

12 Days till I fly home
11 more nights in this lovely abode for fall semester
10 more school days (including finals week)
9 days until Amy and I are reunited
8 times will Cassie scare me today. And the next. She has discovered my inability to control the noises coming out of my mouth when frightened.
7 days until the last Monday of the semester
6 baked goods needed to be made. For taste testing purposes, of course.
5 finals
4 versions of "The Christmas Song" on repeat
3 days until the final cleaning check of the semester
2 essays
and a partridge in a pear tree.

It Came Upon A Midnight Clear

I just wanted to write this down before I forget about it. Friday and Saturday was the Christmas Concert with Men's Chorus, Women's Chorus, BYU Singers and Concert Choir. And we even got to perform a couple of songs with the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra. Holy cow. So fantastic. Their sound gave me chills. Every time. 

One song in particular that I had a great experience with was "Candlelight Carol" 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eME_gxZRDxo&feature=related

One line in particular stuck out to me: "Nations proclaim Him their Lord and their Savior, but Mary will hold Him and sing Him to sleep."

I love how well that portrays Christ and His mission; He didn't come in glory, but His purpose was glorious. He was a personal joy to Mary and Joseph in addition to being the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. 

He came to save mankind from the sins of the world, but He also came to save ME. While the Atonement applies to everyone, I know that He would have done it just for me if that's how it was. That's how much He loves me. I know He loves me. And the more I think about this unconditional love, the more I love Him. No matter how many stupid things I say in a day, no matter the fact that my no-bake cookies didn't set right, no matter how many times I'm tempted to fall asleep during classes, no matter that I get angry sometimes, He loves me just the same. How does that fact get pushed aside sometimes? Honestly. Sometimes I feel inferior because a boy might not like me, or a certain group didn't ask me to hang out with them. It's the material and carnal man; the desire to be accepted by man. I feel so silly now, after making this realization that Christ will always love me. He has always loved me. He always will love me. What greater gift can there be? To have someone understand you completely, who gave their life so you can achieve the ultimate happiness, who has been there every step of the way. How many people can we say about that? 

I feel so grateful tonight for my Savior. I am grateful that He is my brother. I'm grateful for my heavenly family. I'm so eternally grateful that my earthly family can be an eternal family. I love my family with all my heart. I'm so grateful for the example my siblings have set for me, staying true to the gospel. I'm so grateful for my mom and dad- all they have given me, all they have sacrificed, how much they love me. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I feel so incredibly blessed. I realized that during the concert as well- how incredibly blessed I am and how many people do not share those same blessings. I need to be more kind-hearted, more generous, more willing, more Christlike. 

I hope this finds you all on a midnight clear, for it is just that for me tonight- a night of clarity. 

Merry Christmas. 

Holding Out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dWz0BOdK94

I like the original, but also this one.

There's No Place Like Home For The Holidays

There really isn't. Simple as that. 

I've been shopping, eating, sleeping, playing, watching movies, playing some more, tree picking, pie baking, chocolate making, sleeping, chocolate eating, dancing, not doing homework (though I can do that anywhere, apparently), eating some more and relaxing with my family. It's been a fantastic week. I somewhat miss the college scene, but I totally appreciate being at home more after being away for an extended period of time.

Papa Wride moment tonight:
While attempting to tickle my mother, (who was yelling "NO. DON'T YOU DARE" while gripping his fingers so tightly he was yelling "OW, YOU ARE SO STRONG") he says "Porque dijiste esto?!" [talking about a secret pet peeve mom had previously let slip to Adam, Marie and I while watching the BYU basketball game] to which I replied, "Dad, we all speak Spanish here. That didn't mask anything."
His reply: "I didn't have time to say it in Pig Latin!" 

Thank goodness I only have to endure 3 weeks more of the semester before I'm home for Winter Break! Concert, a research paper, and 5 finals. I can do it. I CAN DO IT. Then Amy, Kasee and Heather will all be home. And all of my siblings and nieces and nephews will be here for Christmas. Goodness gracious, I can't wait. 

What I Like About You

Probably one of my favorite FHE activities thus far: Jell-O War.

We were pretty dang messy. We keep finding Jell-O all over the walls of our kitchen.

This picture is just so terrible of all of us, it's hilarious.

My fantastic FHE Family (-1 SARAH!)