Bark like a Dog...

was the theme of our Hawaii trip.  You may wonder where this theme came from...well I'll tell ya. 
While driving around the island one of our first days there, we were informed by our 'Oahu Revealed' tour guide book, that if we happened to run into a wild hog (which are fairly common there) we were to immediately bark like a dog- and it would scare them off!  Did we run into one while hiking? No.  Did Dad see one while we were driving? Yes.   And we all started barking- scaring dear mother half to death. She was a little perplexed.

We kicked off the trip with the Polynesian Cultural Center, where we 'visited' all the different Polynesian islands and learned about their cultures.  I enjoyed it, but it was a long day.  We did get theee mooosssttttt delicious fruit smoothies in a pineapple at the luau!  They were also a million dollars, but they were soo good:)

We sure got to do lots of fun things while we were there!  Katie and I got to get up close and personal with a Whalphin (a mix of a dolphin and a whale--one of three in existence).  We got to pet it, and kiss it and pose for some pics with it. We were in the water, but we didn't actually swim with it. It  was actually really fun! When else am I gonna do that in my life?

We did some kayaking, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and body boarding.  I learned that I have absolutely NO talent when it comes to body boarding! Ah well, it was a good experience. While paddle boarding and snorkeling we got to see some Sea Turtles up close and personal!  One came up to Katie's foot and was real close! 

On our one day excursion to Maui- we took the Road to Hana- a scenic loop up through the mountains.  In addition to it's scenes that take your breath, the winding roads also take your stomach....we all got carsick--oh it was not fun. No one actually got sick- but mother had a towel wrapped around neck and was trying to not let herself sway even an inch on those roads. I had my sweatshirt wrapped around my whole head so I could stop looking at the winding road.  We all got a good giggle from it that evening, once it was over! Tara got a video that I'm sure is quite comical:)

First Sunday there- At the Chapel. So beautiful!

There was this sweet tree with branches hanging down. Can't remember what the tree is called- but we called it the Tarzan tree:)

 You pop that leg Tara! 

 Dad got pooped on by a bird...

 Look in the background and you can see the Black sand beach!

 Looking the other direction from the Black Sand Beach

 Katie looks like a midget in this picture...but she's really just on a slope!

 The Paddle Board!

 Sea Turtle up close and personal

 Favorite Picture.  Love that Sunset.

Katie's Coconut Water- they just chopped it right off and handed it to her.

My Mother

I don't know about you all...but my mother is the BEST!!! Don't know where I'd be without her.  She is my example and friend and I just love her so! I wish I could say that I wrote this, but I did not.  But it is completely accurate! Happy Mother's Day Mom!!! Thanks for all you've done to shape me and my life, and for all you will undoubtedly do in the future:)

A Mother's Love

Author Unkown

There is no love like a mother's love,     no stronger bond on earth Like the precious bond that comes from God,    to a mother when she gives birth. A mother's love is forever strong,     never changing for all time And when her children need her most,    a mother's love will shine. God bless these special mothers,    God bless them every one For all the tears and heartache,    and for the special work they've done. When her days on earth are over,    a mother's love lives on Through many generations,    with God's blessings on each one. Be thankful for our mothers,    for they love with a higher love From the power God has given,    and the strength from up above.

Picky

Although I have never thought of myself as a picky person...I think I am wrong. I did however, overcome being a picky eater on my mission.  Eating cow's tongue and intestine can make you see the good in mushrooms and coleslaw.  Food with hair in it and smothered in grease tells ya that the stuff you thought was bad- REALLY wasn't so bad after all:)

Guess how many times I've been shopping in the past week to find a new shirt?  And guess how many shirts I've come home with...Zero.  Which isn't horrible, I just really wanted a fun new one! But I just didn't 'love' any of them...and who wants to spend money on something if you aren't gonna love it??  --Not me! Picky.

Snapchat is a new acquisition of mine.  One that I am still getting used to...because I still don't fully understand the purpose of it.  Half the time I get one, I just want to respond to the person with a text.  but you can't send 'just text' - a picture HAS to be included. That is the nature of the app.  So then I sit and try to think of a clever way to respond with the required picture- but I don't like any of that I take.  So the I rarely end up responding. Picky.

And then there's dating.  I feel bad for those guys that have taken me out this semester- or with whom I've hung out. There either strong in the gospel- and I'm just not interested in them.  Or they're cute, but not strong enough in the Gospel.  Maybe I judge too quickly, but when I see a red flag having to do with worthiness or when the spirit leaves...it's not for me.  Gospel is the #1 requirement in my future companion.  Picky.  But that's a picky I'm okay with;)

 So to whomever loves me- thank you for accepting me and all my pickyness:)

Back with a BANG

It's been nearly four months since I stepped off the plane in the St George Airport and saw my beautiful family for the fist time in a year and a half.  I cannot believe how quickly the time passes!

Coming back to Provo has been an adjustment to say the least.  It is a very humbling experience to come to a city you know well, but to find that the majority of people you knew are no longer there.  But life is full of new beginnings- and this has definitely been a new one!


Since I've been home, I have been blessed immensely! I found a cheap place to leave, I bought a car for a steal of a deal, everything with all my classes just seemed to fall into place, AND I got a job that pays great and that I didn't even have to interview for.  Blessings!


Now that the semester is over, I can't help but get the feeling of, "And then what?".  I'm not taking classes, over the summer- just working 30-40 hours a week. The few friends I have in my ward are graduating and won't even live in Provo anymore- at least for the summer.  Linsey is graduating and moving to Arizona and having a baby soon.  And I- am just lookin' for fun things to do:)  Any ideas? I have looked into intramurals, but I am no good a soccer or tennis- so maybe I'll go with softball? That's all I've come up with so far.

I am EXCITED about our fun trips this summer- can't wait for Texas and Hawaii- they're gonna be great! Below are a couple photos from Easter with Ella and Ruby.  The latter is of me and Stacey on our way to my mission reunion--We were jammin' out;)