Thanksgiving Break

Last week was Thanksgiving! Yay! We had the whole week off of school. It was really nice not to have to worry about anything for a while. Megan and I went to Utah to stay with our aunt and uncle. My grandma and grandpa were there too, which made it extra fun. We didn't leave until Wednesday so I still had Monday and Tuesday to do homework...theoretically anyway. More like I hung around my apartment Monday, and then partied with people on Tuesday. That pretty much sums those two days up! I was really grateful for people on Tuesday for inviting me to do stuff so I was stuck in my apartment the entire day.

Megan and I were in Utah from Wednesday to Sunday. On Thanksgiving, we went to my great aunt and uncle's home and shared the holiday with them and some of their children with their families. It was fun to be with everyone and be re-introduced since I haven't seen some of those relative for a very long time.

On Friday night, Megan, Grandpa, my cousin Bree, and I all went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. I had never been and I was really excited. It was beautiful and we had a lot of fun!

After we came home and watched the episode of Monk from earlier in the evening, we all went to bed in high spirits. I woke up about two hours later incredibly sick. Saturday wasn't such a fun day for me...at least not until close to noon when my stomach finally stopped freaking out. I slept practically all day. The good thing is, it only lasted one day. I was actually able to function Sunday, which I'm really grateful for because I really didn't want to be sick whilst driving back to Rexburg.

I really did enjoy the break and seeing my extended family. They were a lot of fun. My cousin, Ryan, is crazy (in a good way :) ). He was totally tackling me and trying to tickle me like the whole time I was there! There was this other time where he was trying to crawl through the opening in his chair, sticking his feet in first. He was doing really good until he got to his head which refused to fit through. It was very entertaining to watch him try to make it work though.

Thanks family and friends for making the break awesome :)

So Scared I thought I'd Wet Myself

This post is dedicated to Megan. She just wrote a post about our discovery of the Tower of Terror at California Adventure in August 2008. The above picture is the second time we went on (she said she couldn't find it so I decided to put it in my post). To see the first time, look here.

The first time, Megan and I went with our brother, Josh, and our cousin, Michael. They were determined to keep straight faces for the photo, which they accompished. Megan and I on the other hand, were screaming for our lives! Before we went on, I thought it wasn't going to be a big deal. I thought, "It's just a few drops. How bad can it be?" Well, the ride is Twilight Zone themed and you watch the story behind the haunted elevator and how you are going to relive the experience that made it haunted. You see the ghostly figures of the people who died tragically when the elevator fell. Michael was sitting next to me, and he said, "We will start falling right after you see the images of the people fall." I was still thinking it wouldn't be a big deal, but I was starting to get a little nervous. As the images of the people seemed to get smaller and farther away, Michael said, "Okay, we are going to drop....now." As soon as he finished talking, we began the first drop, and I began screaming like there was no tomorrow!

It was horrifying! A lot worse than I'd expected. I suppose you could also say it's exilerating. The second time Megan and I went, we went with our dad. He made fun of us the whole time we were waiting in line because we were freaking out...a lot! I think he understood why once we started that first drop!! Since I knew where the camera was this time, I smiled for the picture and then immediately resumed screaming.

What I love about the picture is that the shadows make it look like Dad had two giant sweat marks! Haha He was so scared!

Will I do it again? Maybe...but I'll probably whine whilst waiting in line even more than before.

One Thing That Gets Me Through The Day

First of all, a little update. After I wrote my last post, I ironically started to slowly fall into a state of stress and unhappiness. Tuesday was a rough day. It was one of those days where you are so stressed out that you start to worry and get upset about things that don't even matter or aren't even related to the thing causing you stress in the first place! Plus it didn't help that I'd forgotten some things I had to do so I was up until 2:00 am and had to wake up five hours later to make it to my first class of the day. I enjoy my sleep...It was very hard to keep my own advice of not complaining.

It was interesting to me because it almost seemed like there were things building up to that moment. It made me think of how my roommate said a few days ago that there have been so many times in her life that she knows God has prepared her for something before it actually happens--not necessarily big things, but still...I know He helped me through that day even though it was really hard.

Here's the other thing that got me through the day:

That woman there on the right. The person on the left (me) was not what got me through the day. I know I'm pretty awesome like that, but I'd be lying to say I can make it through this life all on my lonesome. Sometimes I like to think I can, but I need a hand every once and awhile. We all do.

Anyway, the woman whose having just as much crazy fun as I am in that picture is my mother. She is a great blessing in my life, and I don't know what I'd do without her. She's inspirational. She always seems to know what to say to make me feel better or what to say because I need to hear it even if it doesn't make me feel better at the time. But in those cases she's always there to give me a hug and tell me that it will all work out, which it always does. It just doesn't always seem like it will at the time. She's let me cry many times and never ever thinks I'm stupid or weak for those moments, a fact that I'm so greatful for because in those moments I'm the one who thinks I'm being weak or stupid. She cares so much about people and doing the right thing. She's so willing to serve others, and she sets a great example. I don't think I can adequate express how much I love her, but hopefully you get the idea.

Thank you, Mom, for encouraging me and reminding me of simple truths that sometimes I'm tempted to forget in those moments where I reach my lowest low. I can't wait to see you again!

Oh, and although I still have a lot to do, my stress level has gone back down. The sun is shining, it's unusually warm for this time of year in Rexburg, and I still have time to fit in a walk which might be slowly becoming part of my daily routine. I'm beginning to realize that even places like Rexburg can be beautiful in its own way.

Until next time! Have a very enjoyable November 5.

Clifford and Thelma

These are my great grandparents Clifford and Thelma Murray. They were my subjects today for my digital scrapbooking efforts. I was trying to add a bit more to it but I couldn't make it work. This isn't so bad though. By the way, I survived the first day of classes. Yay!

Maybe I Do Have Some Creativity After All

So I decided to take another stab at digital scrapbooking and this is what I came up with. I was putting it together while watching "Just Like Heaven" with my family. My dad peeked over my shoulder and asked what program I was using. I hesitated before admitting to using paint and powerpoint. I don't have any of that fancy stuff and I was much to lazy to download some sort of free rip off or something. Besides, I like experimenting. And it didn't turn out half bad, right?

I love this picture. I came across it as I was stealing old photos and things from my mom (and when I say stealing I mean scanning with permission). This is a picture of my mom with her grandpa, Jackson. She talked to me a little bit about the memories she has associated with this picture. That's one reason I love going through my mom's old photos: I get to hear stories I haven't heard before and I get to put faces to familiar names.

I'd like to know your thoughts on my scrapbooking attempt. You even have permission to make fun of me for using paint as a resource :) I think it's kind of funny. Have a great day!!!

Family History: Why I Do It

I haven't updated in a long time. I've felt like I didn't have anything to write about, but it's occured to me that you can always dig up something to write about. So no more excuses. Today's focus is family history -- something I spend a lot of time with.

One time I was at a cemetery not far from my home taking pictures of some graves that people had requested pictures of (a service through findagrave.com). This particular time, I had to make a request regarding care of the grave. There was an overgrown bush covering the grave and I submitted a form to get it trimmed. The man helping me with this process asked me why I was taking time to take pictures of graves for someone I didn't even know. I replied that I would want someone to do the same thing for me (and they do and a million thanks to them for their time), but there's more to it than that. It's part of the whole reason why I do family history, and that's what I'm attempting to share with you today.

I do family history because who they were is part of who I am or who I will become. We can learn from the past and the decisions people made or the things people fought for. This is a picture of my Grandpa Rieck with me and my brother and sister back in 1992.

I love this picture. I don't actually remember my granpda, but I've heard a lot of things about him from my mom. He has a special place in my heart, and this picture is proof that we actually did know each other at some point :) Another reason I do family history is because I believe I will be able to see people again after this life. My Grandpa Rieck is one person I look forward to seeing again.

This is my great grandpa Malone in his army uniform. I only have 4 resources to proove he existed: personal memories, photos, headstone, and the Oregon Death Index. I have no idea who his parents were or even if he had any siblings. He ran away from home and lied about his age so he could join the army. It seems he didn't like to talk about his family, and the records from his birthplace were destroyed in a fire. His background is a mystery that has caused me some frustration. I am determined to find his family someday or at least provide a beginning so someone else can find his family. I do family history to uncover mysteries like his and to discover as much as I can the lives of my ancestors.

I also save records/pictures so those who come after me can know me and my family now. I don't know if any of my children will take an interest in family history as I have. However, there may come a point where they want to know the stories that I've collected or gain greater insight into even who I am. I know now that I would do almost anything just to have in my hands a journal from some of my family who in all actuality haven't been gone from this earth for that long.

So why do I take pictues of graves for people I don't know or help others find their family links or scan tons of my moms old pictures I find around the house? I do it because just having a picture or a document or a headstone makes that person more real to you. Because you can create a connection to your past. Because their stories deserved to be told.

I do family history because who they were is a part of who I am or who I will become. Whether directly or indirectly, I'm affected by these people and their lives. Without certain choices made along the line, my life to this point would have played out differently than it has. I love my family and I want to feel a connection to them.

So do your family history. It takes a lot of time and it can definitely be frustrating at times, but I hope you will find the rewards as I have.