Goodbye, my beautiful Tennessee

I am home.
This has been the best summer of my life.
 I am happy to be home with my younger siblings and my parents, but I miss Tennessee oh, so much.
On the airplane ride home, I made a list of the things I learned while away from home for the first time... Here they are:
-Life actually does exist 50 miles away from the nearest freeway (and it's the life I love!)
-After two months... chickens still scare me.
-On the flip side, I now realize that every dog is not out to get me. In fact, they are pleasant creatures.
-Oh gosh, there is just something about those fellas with southern accents...
-Tractor Supply is where it's at!
-The front porch swing is my favorite place in the world.
-If a dog barks like crazy in the middle of the night, it does not mean there is an intruder.
-You see, there are these things called chiggers.... gross.
-A herd of four cows isn't going to stop running just because they see you standing right in their path.
-If you ever wonder what Rocky Mountain oysters are... just ask me, because I now know.
-Bobcats exist in Tennessee (perhaps even in Todd and Brittany's woods?)
-There is no point in doing my make up while in Tennessee. Thanks to the humidity, it's gone by noon.
-I do not want to see another cat die- ever.
-Sometimes, in the south, people pray for you (right as you stand in front of them). And it is awesome.
-Why don't we have Waffle House in Utah?
-I want to be an auctioneer when I grow up.
-All of us Utahns need to be grateful for our waste services. They don't exist in the back roads of TN!
-I love gardening, and I'm actually willing to kill squash bugs with by bare hands.
-Who needs rock and roll when you've got radio stations full of gospel?
-I need to build up some muscles! I was reminded this after mowing the lawn once (yeah, with a riding mower!) How terribly sad.
-There's no greater compliment than getting waved and winked at on the freeway by some toothless truckers.
-Sorry mom and dad, but I love country music.
-Sometimes when the southern folk talk, you just have to smile and pretend like you know what they are saying. I just love those southern accents!
-Who needs Disneyland when you have a tractor?
-New friends are the best.
-Our siblings can be our best friends. I'm so thankful for the time I was able to spend with my brother Todd and his wife Brittany this summer.... I love them so much.
-My polka dot work boots are my favorite accessory.
-It is possible to live in Tennessee for 2 months and not get a single tick. Whoot whoot!
-Family is what it is all about.
-I'm so grateful for my parents and all that they have taught me in my life thus far.
-I'm so thankful for my roots and for the family name that I bear.
-The gospel is the same wherever you go. And that makes me so happy.
-Home isn't so much a place... it's just being with the people you love.
-No matter where we are or what we're experiencing, we are never alone. Our Heavenly Father will help us find strength.
-Heavenly Father will lead us to where we need to be to be shaped and molded into something better.
-The gospel of Jesus Christ makes me happy.

I just loved my summer so much, and I will always, always be grateful for the things I learned (some a little silly, others life-changing).
So yes, Tennessee, I love you.

Catch up time!

Once again, it has definitely been awhile. Here's what's been happening in my neck of the woods.

This is where I spent my 4th of July--the beautiful Boone Lake.Thanks to Dan and Gail Gasparovich, the weekend was perfect!

Mmmm, mmmm, mmm! Enjoying some good country BBQ in the holler!

For all of you NASCAR folk... the Bristol Motor Speedway.

My sister Brittany and I spent a day in the lovely Asheville, North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. Oh boy, was it amazing!! I loved it.

I snapped this photo while waiting for lunch at the Mellow Mushroom.. Yummy.

The view from a rest stop... Yeah. A rest stop. Prettiest one I've ever seen.

Brittany and I enjoying the day at Dollywood (thank you, Dolly Parton, I will always love you too). It was really a great day!!

DD, Meredith and I at Dollywood. I just love new friends!

Dollywood- fun, fun, fun!

Downtown Knoxville is adorable!! We stopped here to walk around on our way home from our adventure in Dollywood.

I am honestly so grateful for the experience I've had here so far, and for my wonderful brother and his sweet wife Brittany. I couldn't have asked for a better summer.
More to come... (:

Livin' the Country Life

Oh goodness gracious, I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted. I have almost been in Tennessee for a month, and I am loving it so much.

The following pictures summarize my adventure thus far...

This is my new friend, the chicken. To be quite frank, I think I was shaking when this picture was taken. I've never attempted to give some love to a chicken before.

These lovely ladies will eat right out of your hand!

This place is beautiful.

The CMA concert! Amazing. 
We were able to hear these country artists perform: Chris Young, Josh Turner (Hubba freaking hubba), Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Clint Black, & Thompson Square. The concert was unbelievable. I loved it.

"Mormon Night" at the Nashville Sounds game. The missionaries serving here in Nashville were able to sing the national anthem, and church members from all over the area were able to come together and enjoy the game. Plus, hot dogs were only a buck if you were Mormon. Home run? I think so.
And... at the game I ran into David Archuleta. I snapped a photo of him just as he was in deep conversation with a  fan club member.

She is so adorable. Except when she is stampeding towards you with her three sisters. A couple of days ago, Brittany and I were filling up their water tubs, when suddenly the pup Lulu herds the cows towards us. And let me tell ya, they weren't just strolling through the pasture. I'm pretty sure my heart stopped and that I nearly jumped into  the water tubs. Luckily we both barely got out of their way. I think from now on I need to stay behind  the fence when admiring these ladies. (:

The garden--my new love. Isn't it beautiful?


This place is wonderful. Everyone has been so friendly, and I am making new friends. I'm especially grateful to be spending my summer with some of my favorite people ever-- my brother Todd and his wife Brittany. I love them! 

I just love it here. 
More posts to come!
                        

My favorite people in the whole wide world...

I graduate from high school in 4 weeks, and I am leaving home immediately afterwards. Reality has seriously struck me, and as I sit here tonight I realize how much I'm going to miss these guys when I move out. Right now, I can hear Hayden practicing his recorder in between conversations of soccer with Christian. Amanda is hanging out with boys.... uh oh. I'm going to miss teasing her about them.

And no, I'm not dying, I will still see them very often, but I am going to miss being with my best friends everyday. I am so lucky to be the big sister of these kiddos.

P.S. Although I'll miss my younger siblings and my parents....I am also SO excited to spend my summer in TN with my older brother Todd and his wife Brittany!!

My darling friend, Margo

For the past two years I've had the wonderful opportunity of being a counselor at Special Needs Mutual. My buddy, Margo, has become one of my dearest friends. Because of my upcoming graduation, I only have about three more activities at Special Needs Mutual. I am so sad. This calling has been wonderful for me, and Special Needs Mutual has become one of my favorite places to be. The spirit of these beautiful people is enriching, and I love them. I feel the love of my Savior through them.
A lot of people say that we, the counselors, are giving a great service to our special needs friends, but in all reality, they are the ones serving us.

Margo and I spent the afternoon together making cookies today. I love this sweet girl.

The decision has been made.

BYU it is. (:

Bill Cosby

This man is my hero! On Thursday, I was thrilled because I was able to go see Mr. Bill Cosby himself--live!
Oh man, it was great! Although he isn't the tall, slender, dark-haired man anymore that I know from The Cosby Show.... he was absolutely hilarious. I love him!!!

It's spring break now... and I am loving the St. George sunshine and having a break from school. One more quarter and I'll say adios to high school!