Hold onto your seats, folks

I'm back, ladies and gents. Here's what I've been up to lately:

I love my roommates, Halloween, and caramel apples.

Matchy matchy roomies before the ward Halloween party! Don't worry, Lindsey and I totally won the 'Best Nerds' award. 

Okay, so we took this picture right after the dedication of the Brigham City Temple. These twelve girls are amazing! We were in the same ward together last year, and now we are all next door neighbors. Let's just say it's always a party! Totally love them!

My favorite Sunday afternoon spot. I am such a lucky girl to have this right down the street.

It doesn't get any better than a good BYU football game.

My cute friend Dacy came down to Provo, and we all went to a haunted house together. Holy cow, I haven't screamed/laughed that hard in a looooong time. 

So, there's a little bit about what's been going on around these parts. 

School is wonderful. It really blows my mind everyday that I have the opportunity to attend BYU. I love this place. 

But, I'm not gonna lie, we are right in the middle of the semester, and amid all of the tests and study groups and papers and presentations I sometimes want to quit.

Yeah, I'm a little melodramatic probably.

But there are some dang tough, discouraging days. 

You would think I would've figured this out permanently by now, but every single day Heavenly Father reminds me that I really can do hard things with His help. 

I'm such a weak girl, but because Heavenly Father sacrificed His Son for me, the difference can be made up. 

And that makes a world of difference to me. 

Don't mistake me for your babushka

 

Look at what college is doing to me!

Check out those bags under my eyes and those wrinkles on my forehead.

Uh oh, talk about premature aging.

Next week I'll probably sprout a patch of gray hair and kids on campus will accidentally call me grandma.

 

Today was a long day.

 

But everything is so good.

SO stinking good.

 

 

 

 

 



I love summertime

I always feel a little ounce of melancholy when I realize that I have one more week of summer left.

I will miss a wallet that is currently full of quarters (hello, college laundromat).

I will miss driving with my mom to drop my siblings off at school. They really love it when I yell "remember who you are" out the window as they walk away.

I will miss being attacked by bats on our nightly walks.

I will miss the 110 degree weather (haha!)

I will miss seeing the St. George temple everytime I drive into town.

Basically, I will just miss home.

BUT.. I decided to be a die-hard fan yesterday and jam out to this...

and I think I started crying.

Honestly, I love being a BYU student, and I'm excited to go back.

Time for today's random fact:

Last week after having some blood work done, it was discovered that I probably have Celiac Disease. This means that I am now on a gluten-free diet.

Is it sad that when the nurse called to tell me what they found I immediately thought about the fact that I can't eat my mom's mint brownies anymore? Seriously, if you haven't ever had those brownies before then you must live a very sad life.

Happy last week of summer!

Also, watch this Mormon message. I loved it! It's so powerful.



Comeback Team

Aren't they awesome?

Goodbye, Obama, Biden and total delirium.

Hello, Romney, Ryan and sanity.



Happy happy happy

Tonight was my last Tuesday working at Pancho and Lefty's, a popular mexican restaurant here in St. George.

As I was walking past a certain table this fella (who, I'm not gonna lie, was a little tipsy) motioned me over to talk to him.

He said to me, "Girl, could you do something for me?"

"Okay."

"Could you just smile, please? Are you sad?"

"No, I'm actually really happy."

"Then smile."

I smiled, but in my head I was thinking that that son of a gun was probably delusional and I was certain that I had been smiling all along.

Yeah, I was probably wrong.

In the midst of daily routines and monotonous tasks, I think I oftentimes forget that I have an awful lot to smile about.

My mom made my favorite mint brownies last night.

My dad danced around to the Beatles on Saturday morning while he cooked pancakes.

I am a BYU student.

I have the greatest friends in all the world.

I was able to work a lot this summer.

All such sweet things that make me oh, so happy.

But most importantly, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

I know that there is a living prophet.

I know that I can pray to my Heavenly Father and that He will hear me.

I know that Jesus Christ suffered for my sins-- He knows exactly what I experience everyday.

I know that families are forever, and I know that someday I can be married in the temple to begin my own eternal family.

I know that I can find strength, support and answers in the scriptures everyday.

And I know that the Father of us all knows my name and loves me on a deep, individual level.

I belong to the true Church of Jesus Christ.

What more could a girl need to be completely happy?

So thank you, sir, for reminding me to smile and for reminding me that I have so much to be happy about.



Don't mind me

There's been lots on my mind lately...

Since when does back-to-school shopping look like this?

Oh baby. 

I love missionaries.

Please do your best to disregard the fact that I look like a blind woman in this photo, but this kid is one of my very best friends, and he left for his mission today. I guess it's because I'm getting older, but the whole missionary leaving and coming home thing is really affecting me.

I'm such a lucky girl to have such stalwart young men as my friends.

Also, I think I'm changing my major to Human Development.

Journalism to Human Development?

Yeah, doesn't make sense to me either, but it sure feels right.

More about that later.

I'm crazy crazy crazy about this song! Seriously, I think I listen to it like twenty times a day.

The band originated in Provo. Yes, Provo! So... I feel like I have a connection? Okay, not really... but really. You're going to like this song. I promise.



Thoughts on a Sunday afternoon...

Life is pretty funny sometimes.

I usually have times when I think I know exactly what I want and exactly how things will work out.

Silly me.

Things change... all the time.

Majors change, relationships can change and we are always making mistakes.

But there is one person who is constant-- our Heavenly Father. And the wonderful thing is that He has a plan for each of us. I'm so grateful for the fact that He loves me enough to let me go through things that point me to a better path (as painful as it can be sometimes).

I also know that He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to live and die for me. Jesus understands my little heartaches. He has been through it all.

I know that through Him I can always be striving to become better. Trials and confusion are usually the exact things that remind us of how much better we can be and of how much closer we can be coming to Jesus.

I am so eternally grateful to a Savior that never, ever gives up on me. Seriously, I can be such a stubborn girl.. But He loves me despite of all of that.

What a blessing.

Also, have you heard this arrangement of Savior, Redeemer of My Soul?

I love it so much.



Amanda

Yesterday was my baby sister's 17th birthday.

It was a fun, fun day.

I even made some ghetto birthday decorations.

This sister of mine is a pearl of a girl.

Seriously, she has it all together; she is totally going places!

She is my only sister, but she is also my best friend.

I love her so much.

People always say that they have the best siblings in the world...

but sorry folks, mine are the greatest.

California Dreaming

Thanks for a fantastic week, California.

Mmmmm... it was good.

I loved spending time with my family; we made some great memories.

We had the lovely opportunity to stay at a little apartment on the grounds of the Los Angeles Temple.

It was such a blessing to be able to go do baptisms with my younger siblings a couple of mornings that we were there.

I love this temple-- it is seriously sooo beautiful.

We spent a day at Disneyland. Seriously, I think every time I go I like it even more.

This picture was taken after my experience on California Screamin'-- the biggest roller coaster in the park. Folks, I hate roller coasters. But.. I finally gave in and got in line for this bad boy.

And... as painful as it is for me to say... I kinda liked it.

Of course, we visited a couple of beaches.

I am crazy about the beach...

On Tuesday, we went to the beautiful Newport Beach and drove around Balboa Island.

Oh my gosh... so in love.

This particular picture was taken at Huntington Beach.

We said good-bye to the beach last night by taking a stroll down the pier.

Ahhhh, so perfect.

Yeah, I loved this week big time.



The annual Lindsey campout

We just got home from yet another fantastic year at the Lindsey campout!

After spending a couple of days in the lovely outdoors, I realize that I am entirely in love with:

Pine Valley, UT, chubby babies, bike rides, homemade donuts, outdoor movies, family walks when it's overcast, hammocks, the elderly campground hosts (wouldn't that be THE life?), summer thunderstorms, happy kids with dirt-covered faces, dutch oven potatoes, lawn chair gatherings, and.... my family.

I'm crazy about them.

You know those people that make you want to be better just by spending a little while with them?

Yeah, that's exactly how my family makes me feel.

I love my adorable grandma, my aunts and uncles, my inspiring older cousins and those darling younger cousins.

I love my mom who reassures me that the wild turkey that is about to attack our tent is in all reality my little brother talking in his sleep, and I admire my younger sister who happily agrees to sleep under the stars with me (don't worry, it didn't actually happen).

Basically... the people that make up this family of mine happen to be my favorite people in the world.

Lucky me.



Roots

Last weekend, my mom, Christian, Hayden and I paid a visit to Price, UT for a family reunion.

The little towns surrounding Price are the places of my ancestors.

It was a special weekend as we were able to visit sites pertaining to our family's history.

Check out all of those Lindseys making the trek out to the old Coke ovens.

Hayden is such a tender-hearted boy.

These are some of the best people I know-- my Grandma and my Grandpa's brothers.

My Grandpa Doug used to hit home runs at this very baseball diamond.

These pictures from our little adventure in Price probably don't mean much to anyone..

But to me, they symbolize SO MUCH.

As we were walking down the narrow streets of Wellington, Sunnyside and Columbia, Utah I could almost picture what it was like at the time my grandparents were living there.

These sweet, run-down towns were once alive and vibrant.

However, it's the people that came from those towns that make me eternally grateful.

I learn so much from them. I learn of faith, loyalty, devotion, humor, love and service.

I learn what it means to be truly in love, dedicated to the gospel and committed to the strengthening of family.

I am such a lucky girl to come from a family like this.

And then I think.... What am I doing today to bless my posterity?

Oh heavens, I could be doing so much more.

I want to be the kind of mother and grandmother that my children and their children will be grateful for.

I thank Heavenly Father every day for the righteous examples and motivations that I see in my ancestors. I want nothing more than to be like them.

Me? Domestic?

Ladies and gents, there is hope.

Although these loaves of Zupfe (a Swiss braided bread) look slightly deformed...

they tasted delish!

Nothing burned or started on fire, and no one died after eating them.

Future children, maybe, just maybe, you won't starve after all.

My angel mother

"All I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother."

Honest Abe was never more honest...

And this is exactly how I feel about my very own angel mother.

Cute mom and sister.

How did I get so lucky to be able to be born to such a wonderful woman?

Since May 13, 1993 she has been my true and constant friend.

Her advice is perfect.

Her faith is steadfast.

Seriously, she has been through more than most people I know, yet she handles every day filled with grace and service.

She is devoted to the gospel.

She magnifies her callings.

She never ever complains.. even when we all give her a hard, hard time.

I wrote this in my journal one lonely day during my first year at school:

"Why did I wish away those precious years when I was able to just walk downstairs and get a hug from my mom? It's hard nights like these when I just wish I could run down to her room and sit next to her and cry. She always makes me feel better. It's in the gentle way that she strokes my hair and in the way she starts to cry when she sees a tear fall down my own cheek. She is the best mom in the world. I want to be just like her. I miss being with her (my best friend) every day."

I hope and pray that I can be even close to as good as she is someday.

The thing that I love most about my mom is that she makes me want to get to know my Savior better.

Her life reflects His love. She really is a witness of Him through the way she humbly lives her life.

I am so blessed to be her daughter.

My St. George

Did I ever mention just how lucky I feel to live in this place?

Kind of a bad picture, but today I looked outside and immediately felt so grateful that I am able to call St. George home.

.This has been my place for 19 years.

And boy, am I blessed because of it. 

Thanks, Miss Corrie Ten Boom

"Every experience God gives us, every person He puts into our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future only He can see."

Happy Sabbath

Just another church-going, kettle corn- popping, Sound of Music-watching, frisbee-throwing Sunday at the Cottle house.

My fam bam

I came across this lovely quote last night by President Spencer W. Kimball. He said, "Oh brothers and sisters, families can be forever!  Do not let the lures of the moment draw you away from them! Divinity, eternity, and  family -- they go together, hand in hand, and so must we!"

These past couple of weeks have been sad as I have been away from my school friends, but I am so happy to be able to spend time with my beautiful family.

Tonight was family home evening, and it didn't start without Hayden throwing in his witty comment (or several), Christian flexing his muscles, asking us to "check him out," or Amanda being teased about her main squeeze. The highlight of the evening, of course, was the Cottle jam session with Santana and Queen.

I'm really missing the Tennessee, Missouri and Salt Lake Cottles lately. I'm so blessed to have such wonderful older siblings. I look up to each of them so much.

Oh, how I love this family of mine.

Look at my hubba hubba brothers.

A bittersweet day

Today I finished my freshman year at BYU. I cannot believe it. My mom is picking me up in the morning, and I will live in St. George for 4 months. I am so excited to be with my family... SO excited. I've missed them so much.

But... my heart is aching today, too. I am in love with BYU. Seriously. If you would have told me in September that I would feel like this today, there is no way I would have believed you.

Sure, I've had tough days. I've felt homesick, lonely and inadequate, but this is been one of the best years of my life.

First of all, my roommate has become one of my very best friends. I had to say good-bye to her this morning before I went to take a test, and I walked onto campus crying my little eyes out. When the test was over, I cried even more. And when I came back to an empty dorm room.... I cried a lot. She has been such a good friend to me, and I can't believe that I have only known her for just 8 months. I'm going to miss her so much over the summer.

My ward this year was phenomenal. Honestly, I feel so lucky that I was able to have such an awesome bishopric and to go to church with such inspiring people.

My FHE group

117th Ward

I loved this year. I love learning. Especially about myself. I have discovered so many things about myself that I would've never known if it weren't for my experiences this year.

However, if I have learned anything this year, it is the fact that we do have a Heavenly Father that loves us, and He did send His son Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of the world. Jesus is our only hope. He is the only way back. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am thankful for a Heavenly Father that leads me to places where I need to be. I know that BYU is where I am supposed to be. I love it with all of my heart, and I am excited to come back in August!

But until then... give me some St. George sunshine!! I can't wait.

Kindness

Yesterday, in my American Heritage lab, my TA said something that was really powerful.

He started talking about how we are always told to care for the poor, the needy, the down-trodden... you know.

But then he said that sometimes we think of the poor as the orphans in Africa and the needy as a family in South America that struggles to make a living. While all of these are definitely worthy of our efforts as well, what about the poor and the needy in our own daily spheres? What about the girl in our ward that is aching for a friend, the sibling that is hurting, the friend that needs someone to talk to, or the individual who just needs someone to smile and say hello?

We don't need to embark on some huge humanitarian project or donate a fortune to an organization to be kind. We can become more and more like Jesus Christ when we serve those that are closest to us. I think that those are the people that we oftentimes forget, but they are usually those who need us the very most.

"There is a serious need for the charity that gives attention to those who are unnoticed, hope to those who are discouraged, aid to those who are afflicted. True charity is love in action. The need for charity is everywhere."

-President Monson

.

Finals, here I come

Well, I figured that I would quickly do a blog post. This is probably going to be my only breather until after finals week. I will only be in Provo for about two more weeks. I can't believe it.

This semester has been wonderful. I took 18 credits.... it was busy, super stressful (I think I lost half of my head of hair), but I wouldn't trade what I've learned for anything.

I only went home once this semester. Sounds silly, but it was a huge accomplishment for me (compared to the six times I went home last semester!) How embarrassing.

I know I'm just an inexperienced freshman girl, but I have learned so many precious things this year at school.

Sometimes I think back to my high school days and think about the things that I thought were hard then.... usually it makes me roll my eyes and laugh at what used to push me to my breaking point.

But really, at the time, those things seemed brutal.

I think that's how Heavenly Father works. He knows what is going to challenge us at the time to push us up to the next level. When we embrace challenges and allow Him to shape and mold us, we can be better prepared for the next obstacles in our paths. Our Father in Heaven sees the big picture; He has a plan for each of His children.

Also, I'm not quite sure how I would have handled my first year of college without the things that I learned (and am still learning) from my parents. They are my heroes. Both have seen hard, dark and miserable days. I am so, so, so eternally grateful for the faith they held onto. I don't know what I would do without them. What a lucky girl I am to be able to call them Mom and Dad.

I'm so thankful for the beautiful people that I met here this year. It's amazing how quickly friends can be made. I feel like I've been with these people my whole life...

I'm also grateful for: late-night runs, the salad bar at the Cannon Center, Pinterest, General Conference, the temple (right up the street!), indian food, my visiting teachers, my siblings (Todd, Brittany, Kent, Allison, Brock, Amanda, Christian, Hayden), Justin Trapp, country music, birds chirping in the mornings, the sound of trains, the fact that summer is in the air, my lavender oil that I douse my pillow with and the tulips that are blooming on campus.

And... I'm thankful for the sight of a cozy bed that is calling my name.

A little bit old, but it made me happy today.

And this. Miss you, chili beans. (Sorry for choking you, Hay man).

This makes me happy, too.
Very happy.

Getting a little fresh

Uh oh, Ricky boy. I'm not so sure that was a good idea.

Hi, I'm still alive

I'm just writing this post with the assumption that I do have some followers. And yeah, I'm still alive. If you read my blog, you may be wondering what's going on with all of these journalism posts. Well, I've been taking my first journalism class this semester and our weekly assignments consist of creating blog posts. So, there you go. I love journalism. I have learned so much about it this semester, and I'm pretty confident that it is exactly what I want to be studying.

The semester is ending in about 4 weeks. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Oh my word, what a quick one it has been.

In April, I will move back to St. George. I'm so excited to spend 4 WHOLE months with my family. I haven't done that in almost a year.

Soon I will start looking for summer jobs. I am hoping and praying that I can also get an internship with The Spectrum (St. George's newspaper) this summer.

However... I'm really going to miss Provo. I have grown to love this place and all of the people that I've met here. I seriously feel so blessed that I am a student at BYU. Some days, I have to stop and tell myself that I really do go to school here. It is a dream come true-- I feel so lucky.

(Thanks for the fantastic picture, Rosie)

Spring has sprung, and I don't think there is a better feeling in the whole world than laying a blanket out on the grass and snuggling up with a good book (or textbook, of course).

I also have a mini job. You know those annoying people that knock on your door every March trying to sell lawn aeration? Yeah, I'm one of them. I have to constantly remind myself as I'm walking down the street that my self esteem cannot be based off of cranky people who get mad at me for coming to their door. The key to making a lawn aeration sale here in Provo is to compliment the women on their wreaths and front-yard flower beds. Seriously, it's true.

Have you been following these Republican primaries? I have. My political junkiness has rubbed off on my roommate and friends. Everytime there is a primary you can pretty much guarantee a party in room 2123.

I also love Friday nights. Especially when they're spent with this boy.

Also, sending prayers for my sweet brother Brock. He's been in the hospital for almost two weeks now. Breaks my heart. I love that brother of mine so very much.

Finally, here is a powerful video to watch. My Book of Mormon professor shared it with us on the day when we were studying 3 Nephi 11 when Jesus Christ visited the Nephites.

What a wonderful experience my Book of Mormon class has been.

"And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth..."

I am so thankful for a Savior who is an individual Savior. He knows exactly what each of us needs.

I believe that the Atonement was far more individual than we will ever, ever imagine.

What a blessing.

Whew, long post. Life is good.