I WANT.

I die when I see coats like this.

December!

It's my birthday in one week. I guess you could say I'm excited. December is my absolute favorite month of the whole year, and not just because it's my birthday month. My mom and I pulled out the Christmas boxes from the garage and decorated the house while listening to FM 100.3 (you gotta listen to Christmas music while putting up decorations, even if most of the songs are extremely nerdy and repetitive). The tree is up, our stockings are hung, and the lights are on the house outside. I love the cozy feeling of the tree plugged in and being snuggled up in a blanket. 

I love this time of year, it brings out the best in some people. I love hearing people say, "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" to one another. I love the spirit that Christmas brings. What I don't like is going to Walmart and walking into a madhouse of mothers dragging their five crying and whining children with them as they fill their shopping carts with a bunch of junk (toys, big stuffed animals, giant chocolate Santas that actually taste terrible, etc.) that they really don't need. It's almost laughable to watch.

These past few years I have really realized that Christmas isn't about spending a bunch of money on presents that we don't really need. It's about helping others and giving our time to serve those who are less fortunate or that need help. On Monday, I spent the day with my Grandma. I helped her make applesauce, and we decorated her house for Christmas. It felt so good to help her.

I'm crossing my fingers that it snows for my birthday. I'm also hoping someone buys me an ipad. Ha! Just kidding.

So much time, so little to do.

For about a month now, I haven't been working or going to school. Now if I were a responsible go-getter, I'd have accomplished a lot with all my free time. But, no. Instead, I've read the Harry Potter series for the 20th time, discovered my love for Netflix, fallen in love with Seinfeld, and decided, after playing with neighbors new beagle puppies, that it's extremely important that I buy myself a puppy as well.

There have been a few outings and fun activities, and I will post about those later. Life is good, though. I'm back on track to go to school in January, and I couldn't be more excited. (Definitely not excited about the classes, but excited about working towards graduating and finally being a teacher!!) So cheers to that.

Dear Summer, I'm going to miss you.

I can't deny it any longer... the wonderful, hot, and beautiful days of Summer are finally coming to an end. It's been such an adventure. Here are a few highlights on going on family road trips, seeing extended family, and spending time with some of my greatest friends. I will miss Summer terribly, but I am really really excited to start wearing sweaters and scarves.

My Grandpa Frayne passed away in June. This experience has had a huge impact on me, and I'm still trying to come to terms with it. He was such a huge part of my life, and it's been hard for me to get used to the idea that he is gone. I'm so grateful that this separation from him is only temporary. That has given me peace. The funeral brought my entire extended family together, and it was such a treat to see cousins, my cousin's spouses, second cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends of my Grandpa's. We drove up to Franklin, Idaho for the burial service, and right as it ended, it started to pour down rain and hail. We all ran to our cars, and as we pulled out of the cemetary, there was a full rainbow. While we were in Franklin, we drove by where my Grandpa grew up in a small and quaint white house. It was special to see that.

I took loads of pictures of Sammy. Here's a few gems of my little baby puppy. He's grown on all of us and the whole family is obsessed with him. He's just so cute.

We spent the 4th of July up in Heber with my family, my grandma, two of my uncles and some cousins. We took a drive up in the mountains, and had a picnic by a fire. We weren't prepared to find snow and the lake frozen over, and Aub and I had to be carried across patches of snow. After that we rode my uncle's horses which was so fun! The night was spent back at home watching the neighborhood fireworks. Tyler and Melissa dropped by to enjoy them with us. It was a great day.

I spent a lot of time with my 17 year old brother, Daniel. We watched Harry Potter movies, he made me lots of rootbeer shakes, we jumped from our roof onto the tramp, we went out to eat, and drove around all over the place. He's my best friend.

I learned how to make hair flowers out of fabric by burning the edges, which was super cool. We had a girls night with some cousins and made a bunch. Russ volunteered to take down our ancient swing set, and I had to get a picture by it before it was gone because I have some great memories of it.

I went to Gabe and Ellen's wedding, and Sam and Erin's wedding. Both were wonderful. I ate so many fruit tarts I made myself sick. And I just love this picture of Daniel and Emma dancing. It melts my heart, they're just so adorable.

I went to see HP7 Part 2 with my friend, Kaylyn. I went three times this summer, I guess you could say I loved it. Also one of my best friends, Lindsey, got married. Her bridal shower was super fun, and she was such a beautiful bride.

Whenever I want to make a pie, I go straight to my grandma's house. We made this delicious blackberry pie. I love spending time with her. Every minute I am with her, I learn something from her and I appreciate her more and more.

Melissa and Tyler moved just around the corner, and I spent a lot of time with Melissa. We decorated her classroom, went out to eat, and played at each other's houses. They are such great friends. My mom and I babysat a friend's baby, Nina. She's a dolly and we both fell in love with her.

My family spent a week in Island Park, Idaho. My mom's childhood best friend has a cabin right on the lake. We had the best time boating, tubing, eating, watching movies, playing games, and riding motorcycles.

On our way home from Idaho, we stopped by my grandpa's grave. They added his death date. It was special to come visit him there.

I got a new headboard and bedspread. My room looks so much better now, and I finally hung a few pictures that I bought in France. Also, my cousin went into the MTC. He had his farewell in Heber. He did such an amazing job on his talk, and I know he will be an outstanding missionary. He's a stud.

I really enjoyed the amazing sunsets this summer and the beautiful sky. I also enjoyed all of the bright flowers around town. Everything is so alive and healthy. I also wanted to put a picture of me with my Nana. She's a beautiful woman and I adore her. I love that she lives so close. She's so special to me.

Alright then. I'm ready for Fall!

Fit to be Tied

I don't know if you have ever heard the saying, "I'm fit to be tied." I have heard my grandparents and parents say that over and over again, and the past few days it has applied to me. Greatly. I am literally fit to be tied. Everything seems like it's too much to handle. I have so many thoughts, worries, and fears bouncing around in my mind. Life gets overwhelming sometimes. Almost to the point where you feel like you are drowning. I find it harder to find things to smile about.

Well. Today I came across this picture and I instantly smiled. I know it's just puppies in baby clothes hanging from a clothes line. But it brought me joy, even if for just a minute. I temporarily forgot about needing to register for school, applying for a grant, my job, my worries, my problems, my future, and all of my stresses that can be so distracting. It was a good reminder that there are tender mercies all around us, often times in unexpected places. And I take comfort in that.

My Grandpa Frayne

On June 19th, 2011, my dear and sweet grandpa passed away. I love my grandpa and I have so many special memories with him. He was such a huge part of my life and he always supported me in everything that I did. He was always there at my concerts, performances, and big events. He used to always call me "Mavis Durrant". That was a girl that was in his class when he was a child. He was always complimenting my Grandma and telling her how much he loved her. I loved to watch the two of them together. He loved all kinds of drinks, his favorite being "black pop", which was Pepsi with peanuts. He loved snacks, and he used to make me popcorn or a plate of crackers, cheese, pepperoni, and olives. His love and knowledge of the gospel inspires me. I'm proud to be his granddaughter and I feel honored to have known him so well. He holds a special place in my heart, and I am so grateful to know that families are forever and that I will see him again someday.

Photobooth

Daniel, Emma, and I thought it'd be fun to take some pictures together. When we couldn't find anyone to take them for us, we decided Photobooth would do the trick. Too bad we got carried away with the effects.  For anyone that has played around with Photobooth, you know how addicting and fun it is. We had a fun night together, and I think there's a few keepers in here. The next night Emma and I were back at it. Maybe we have too much time on our hands.

{France & Switzerland | April 2011}

I finally have some pictures of Switzerland and France to put on here. I went on this trip with my older sister, Aubrey, and her husband, Russell. We stayed with Russell's brother, Brian, and his wife, MJ, while we were in France. We had the greatest time. The first three days we spent in Switzerland, then a full week in Paris. Our time was filled with site seeing, pastries, monuments, crepes, museums, and running around the huge city taking in all of the beauty. It was a trip that I will never forget, and I hope to go back there some day.