Mothers Are Special

My mom is a pretty special lady. But I wouldn't say that it is her advanced scrap-booking skills, her knack for aesthetics, her consistent thirst for knowledge or her eloquent way with words that makes her so special. Those are good things too. My mom is special to me, because she is just that, my "mom".

Lately, I have been needing her help more than ever in planning a wedding. I know that this is no easy task and I wish that I could be there to help. But If you know my mom, you know that she will put her whole heart into something, especially if it is for her loved ones. She will research, plan , budget, organize, prepare and plan some more. She knows how to work. What a wonderful thing to feel her support and love for me, even though we are miles apart.

My mom gives her time as an expression of her love. She always has. I can't tell you how many times growing up my mom has stopped what she was doing to here about some story from school, or test score, or unfortunate event, or crazy idea I have had. I could always count on her to provide not only a listening ear, but an interested one as well. In that way, my mom is my best friend.

So, even though I've taken my flight from the "nest" and am making a home of my own, it's comforting to know that there will always be a place where I can go to feel loved, to feel wanted, and appreciated; that's home with my mom.

My 8:00am class was cancelled

according to the note on the door. I love it when our professors surprise us like that. I know he is sick, so I really shouldn't be celebrating, but he really has given us all a gift. What would've been a 1 1/2 hour class is now free time. I'm already up and dressed so going home to sleep is out of the question. I am here at the library, reading emails, printing papers, looking at blogs, and what'd ya know, blogging myself!

Although my life is busy and full of responsibilities and callings and classes, I am so happy to be here. I know that I will look back on this place, BYU-I, with very fond memories. I need to cherish it. I only have 4 more semesters left of college, and then I will get my Bachelors in Exercise Physiology. That is so cool! What a blessing to be able to get an education! I am a lucky woman.

At the end of my yoga class, there is a relaxing and rejuvenating segment where my students lay flat on their backs, concentrating on their breathing, and think of positive and happy thoughts, allowing the stress in their lives to melt away. I dim the lights and turn up the music and they are in their own little happy world. Last class, I suggested they say a gratitude prayer for the blessings in their lives. I would suggest everyone try it every once in awhile. It really brings your life back into focus.
:)

It's a great day to celebrate

Laura's Birthday!

Laura is creative, beautiful, fun, funny, a great mother, thoughtful, interesting and interested, and she has a great sense of style. She is so COOL. I think I speak for all of us when I say that we all kind of wish we were more like Laura :)

Happy Birthday! What are you, 29?...

I have some news...

I am engaged to be married, and to a wonderful man! Derek proposed and I said yes :)


This looks pretty much exactly like my ring.

He took me on a beautiful afternoon walk down a cement nature path in Rexburg. We took a detour and settled on a bridge that is also a train track and sat down on a blanket looking at a the river below. It was beautiful. He then handed me a gift (by this time I knew what was coming). I unwrapped it and it was a beautiful hardbound Shutterfly picture book. The first page were portraits of Derek and I and then a letter he wrote to me...this is where the crying began.

After I read the letter i enjoyed pages of pictures of us as children, teenagers and adults as well as a collage of pictures of us on our many adventures the past several months. He also asked a lot of our family what they love about me and dedicated a page for that...so sweet :) The last section was dedicated to the many inanimate object pictures he has been collecting for months. About 7 months ago there was a popular commercial on TV of random objects that formed faces (smiley faces, frowny faces, etc.) Anyway, he knew that i LOVED that commercial because I crack up every time I see it, so he had been collecting pictures like that for a long time. It really made me smile.

On the last page of the book was a picture of a beautiful ring and a picture of a couple under an umbrella. Through my tears I looked over at Derek and he was already on one knee, asking me to marry him. I said yes! For once, I think I cried more than Derek.

I'm so excited to marry Derek and have so many new family members who I already love.Thank you to everyone for your love and support of us. We invite all to celebrate with us at our Reception on Friday, August 13th at Copper Hill Reception Hall.

More info later! Love you!

Quick Update!

To those who care what's going on in my life:

- Yoga class. It is going SPECTACULARLY. I absolutely love teaching, which is a good thing because it's what I'm going to school to be. I am sore everyday, but it's ok. I workout for others now, and not for myself. I seem to have regulars so that's a good sign. And I've lost 6 pounds -- did't plan on that one.

-School. School is good, but I need to put more time into it. There have been too many instances where I quickly whip up an asssignment and turn it in. I need to spend more quality time with my anatomy book. We aren't friends quite yet. I love my baking class! Tomorrow we're making bagels, mmm. (Note to self: pick up some strawberry cream cheese)

-Derek. Derek and I are having a good semester, but it kind of stinks becuase we don't have any classes together like last semester, and we're not in the same ward anymore. But I still see him for hours everyday. We make it work. He is one of my most faithful yoga participants. He's so supportive. He even bought a black yoga mat yesterday. It is very masculine! :)

-Family. I miss my parents. I know that they are taking good are of eachother though. I pray for them every day. It's still so great having my siblings here in Rexburg with me. I love spending time with Rob and Jos, mostly randomnly, and me and my niece Evelyn have become besties! We hangout, it's cool :) Miranda and I took a spontaneous trip to Idaho Falls yesterday and had a wonderful time shopping. Jackie is coming to my class tonight and bringing a friend. She said to go easy on her...I promise nothing.

-Faith. I 'm grateful for the Lord, because I have already felt His help and strength in my life and all my many activities (yoga teaching, schoolwork, personal, etc.) I'm taking a great New Testament class and enjoying reading about the Savior's ministry. I need to remember that this is not only a University but Discipleship training program, if you will. I know I'm better because I live here in Rexburg, surrounded by so many good examples.

Ok, that's it for now. Gotta go play a quick game of ping pong with Derek. :)

Exciting News!

I am a yoga instructor on the BYU-I campus :)

I tried out on Thursday in front of two judges who were my "participants" and apparently did well enough because they penciled in teaching times right after! I teach Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 pm to 9:50, and Saturday mornings at 9:00.

This is going to be a great experience. I've never taught a class before, so this will look really good on my resume, and it will really stretch me (ha, no pun intended.)

I have been living and beathing yoga this week. I can't stop thinking about it and my class! Yesterday I went out and purchased 3 new yoga videos to get some ideas, I did 2 of them this morning, and I'm going to plan my routines tomorrow.

My goal is to concentrate on my students, their comfort, and provide them with an effective workout that leaves them feeling strong and rejuvenated. I really want to be supportive. It's not easy, not even for me.

I'll be sure to keep you updated on how it's going and everything. This is a fun but kind of scary new step i'm taking. But it's gonna be really good :)

I know I always post about school, but

I just wanted to to let you know that I got my scholarship! That test grade pulled it off and I will get tuition free for two semesters until they re-evaluate my GPA, and I hopefully qualify for it again.


Thank you for all your prayers and encouraging words. You guys are awesome. This really has been a satisfying end to a difficult semester. I can't wait to do it all again next week, haha.


Oh, and a little anecdote - Ivon and Nancy Young were sweet enough to give me an extra camera they hadn't been using, because my current one is dead. It is SO nice. I love it. But anyways, I'll be able to upload my pictures onto my blog now, not just one's I find on Google.


Well, I think it's exciting :)

Label: Random pic of me and Derek. Every blog entry needs a picture, right?