11.29.2009

Thanksgiving Checklist:

Surprise Mom by singing Happy Birthday in her room at 1 in the morning: Check.
Surprise Lexie in the morning: Check.
Surprise Cody and get attacked by Becker doing so: Check.
Learn a new game and get addicted to it: Check.
Getting to spend some time with The Holders: Check.
Having fun doing service at the Bishop Storehouse: Check.
Partake of delicious Mexican food at La Parilla: Check.
Going to see Blind Side, one of the greatest movies ever: Check.
Going to my "high school reunion" and being the only sober one there: Check.
Eating Dad's delicious fried Turkey: Check.
Getting to see my favorite girls: Check.
Spending Thanksgiving with the most important people in my life: Check.
Getting to see the cutest dog in the entire world: Check.


Was it worth the amount of debt I am currently in with my sister for my plane ticket home? Absolutely.
Will I ever do a surprise again? Perhaps. But not when it involves surprising my Mom. It was one of the hardest secrets to keep and having to hide my excitement was not an easy task.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving break!

11.23.2009

the perfect medicine.

My family.
Cal, Tay, and I decided a few weeks ago to surprise my family and fly home for a week for Thanksgiving.
Seriously, such a HUGE blessing for me.
Coming home for a week and getting away from Utah is just what I needed.
I love my family. They are so amazing!
I love family time. Just relaxing with all of them is good enough for me.
I love the South. There is nothing like it.

Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving week! :)

11.19.2009

boys, boys, boys

Being that's it's Thanksgiving time, I am focusing on the things I am grateful for in my life...and sometimes it's the things that I don't realize as much.
Now, don't be mislead by the title. These aren't just any boys- not the ones that we like to call difficult and frustrating.
These boys I'm referring to are my fabulous boy cousins that I have on my Mom's side of the family. My primos!
The boys definitely dominate in the family.
24 cousins. 9 girls. 15 boys.
*this is back in the day. not all the boys were born yet- 9 boys, 5 girls so far:
And let me tell you something- I absolutely love it! :)
I have the greatest cousins in the entire world- boys and girls.
But there is just something about those boys- I feel so blessed there are so many of them. I obviously see more of some than others, which makes me sad- but I still love them all so much! They are the sweetest, kindest, funniest, coolest guys I know and any girl will be lucky to be a part of their lives!
They are great and the cutest young men I have ever met! AND not to mention they are my favorite boys in the whole entire world! They will never break my heart, ever. I love when we get together with them, which now happens more often since I spend most of my year our West, we always have so much fun when we're together.
They always will know how to bring a smile to my face and make me laugh.
And they don't treat me different because I'm a girl.
They just love on me and I love on them. They are the greatest!
Sometimes I might be a little more loving, but they always get used to it.
So here's to you, you crazy Calvert boys. Thanks for being awesome. I love ya'll more than you know! :)

11.18.2009

am I reading this correctly?


Walking out of the test center and look up on the screen to see my score:
5-5424: 95% "Way to go!"
Never in my 4 years at BYU have I ever seen this posted next to my ID number at the BYU Testing Center.
Me? I got a 95% Is this real life?
Yes, ladies and gentleman- today is the day that I actually got a 95% on my Stats test. And out of all my class... Stats? yes, I was in shock.
But I feel good.
So now everyone knows- I have never reached a 95% on any of my tests- at least in the testing center. It's whatever.
You could say today is the best day ever.

11.14.2009

time to brag...


I figure it appropriate to brag about how wonderful my Mom is, especially today since it is her 50th Birthday!!! (it's okay Mom, you don't even look like you are 50) I feel so blessed that she is my mother and that I am able to be a part of this great family- I seriously couldn't ask for anything more. I have it good. And my Mom just rocks! Common nicknames used: Teen Face, Tuna, and Teen! I could name over 50 things that I love about my Mom and why she is so great...but I will just stick to a few!
So here is just a FEW reasons why I have a great Mom:

- She is an EXCELLENT cook! It is one of the things I miss the most while being out at school. She has the best recipes and makes the best food! One day I hope I can cook as good as she does!
-She likes to have fun with us. Like this instant: we were baking Christmas cookies last year, we were all on this sugar high so we just found everything to be funny. So she was up on the stool trying to get something, but she couldn't get it or even focus because we were all laughing too hard. And, you should hear her laugh- it's priceless.
-One of my personal favorite things about her: She likes to visit her college kids out in Utah when she gets the chance to! I know she'd come out more if she could! She really loves and cares for her children more than anything in the world!
-She is a good sun-bathing partner. It's nice to have someone to come along with you for some good sun time. She likes to get color and she'll always be the one to talk the entire time-she'll complain if we start listening to our ipods. sorry mom.
-She's the only daughter in her family with 5 brothers. She had to deal with all the torment and teasing growing up- so she's pretty tough. But she is a great daughter and sister to this fam.
-She likes to keep the house clean. And maybe sometimes she might spill or make messes, but she won't freak out about it- she'll laugh about it first and then clean it up. It's nice to have a clean and organizing mother, but she's not uptight about it all the time- maybe that's where I get my cleanliness and organization skills from.
-She loves and adores her family. If she had it her way- we'd all still be together, living in the same state, and in the same house. She only wants what is best for her family and always looks out for every single one of them. She never favors one over the other. She will drop everything and do anything for any of us. That's why she's the best Mom.
-She is a hard worker. Working a full time job, being primary president, and team mom- she keeps herself busy and occupied. But she'll manage to find times to squeeze in her 10 minute power naps on a day-to-day basis...she at least deserves that.
-She's a good friend. She is so nice and kind to everyone. No one ever talks negatively about her because she is a person who is easily loved. She cares for her friends and wants to know what is going on in their lives. I think that's where I get that attribute from-We are pretty alike when it comes to how well we treat our friends and how we will always do nice things for everyone. That's not a bad thing to have.
-She is a good wife. I'm so lucky to have been raised with such great parents. They have taught me everything I know; I wouldn't be the person I am today if it wasn't for them and their examples. Really, how did I get so lucky?
-She likes to stay active. She can't stand sitting and relaxing for long periods of time. She always wants to be doing something and likes to stay in shape.
And... she is still a babe even at 50 years old! :)

Happy Birthday Mom!
I'm so lucky to have you as my mom! You have helped me become the person I am today- I couldn't have gotten to this point without your help! You have always been there for me and will always sit and listen to me complain, cry, or even share my excitement with me.
You are the best! I wish I could be there to celebrate this special day with you! I miss you and hope you have a fabulous day! :)
Love you!

11.06.2009

October Festivities!

October was a busy month for me!
With Visitors, Football Games, Vacations, Birthdays, Halloween and Goodbyes.. this month flew by so fast!!
So here's what's the latest:

-Reuniting with some of my favorite boys to celebrate Andre's Birthday:
-This cute little girl, Miss Peyton Reeve, was baptized!

-The Sant and the Nichol gang- all grown up now; first time we've been back together in a long time!
Going to Colorado for our cousin, Jordan's farewell!
We even got to see my Mom and Lexie in Denver, which was so great!
Our cutest little Lake Powell favorites came to Utah!
We celebrated Callie's 20th birthday!
And painted these cute plates!
Attended College Gameday in Provo!!

Went to a disappointing and cold BYU game.
And it was finally Halloween!! I went as Little Miss Muffet, and I ran into my 2 nerdy friends:
My boys and I:
Roomies plus Grace at our Stake Halloween Party:
And, as previously mentioned, I said bye to my cousin, Jordan:
and my best friend, Kate!
So it has been quite the month of October! It sure was busy! And now onto the month of November! I wonder what this month will bring!