What a year.

I can't believe it's nearly the last day of 2011. Please excuse the obnoxiously long post, but here is a summary of my 2011 from behind the lens of my camera:

Spring Break 2011. From our faces, it's obvious that we just love our St. George.

Sorry, I couldn't resist. This picture is definitely a keeper. 

A happy Easter at the Cottle home!

Oh, I love sweet Margo. 

The Spring Recital. I was one proud piano teacher!!

Seminary Graduation.

Graduation day with my handsome brothers.

I took this picture the first day that I spent on my brother and sister-in-law's beautiful farm in Tennessee. 

The tractor lesson!

Well hello there, Nashville!

I sure do love me some Watertown, Tennessee!

Haha, who knew the folks in Watertown were such campaigners? 

I loved spending my 4th of July weekend staying at Dan and Gail's lake house on the shores of Boone Lake in Piney Flats, TN.

My sister-in-law and I just soaking up the sun at Boone Lake.

Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC.

Asheville, NC is one cute place!

My sister Brittany and I spent one summer afternoon browsing shops in Knoxville-- so much fun.

Mhmmm, that's what I'm talkin about.

We visited Duke campus during a stay in Raleigh, NC.

I snapped this photo the morning that I said goodbye to Tennessee. It was a fantastic 2 months. 

I spent a day cliff jumping at Sand Hollow Reservoir with my family right before I made the move up to Provo.

My second home sweet home!

I love new friends! 

I was so happy when my beautiful little sister came to BYU with her tennis team.

And.... I went on a couple of fun, fun trips to Temple Square!!

 It has been one awesome year. I'm so thankful for every experience that I have had, and I'm so looking forward to the ones to come during my 2012!

"The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives." 
         -Jeffrey R. Holland

Simply Having a Wonderful Christmastime!

Priceless. The adults decided that it was their turn to take over the traditional nativity scene presentation this year. I think they should do it every year. I mean, check out dad in that wise man costume.

Happy Christmas Eve! Never a dull moment in the Cottle house...

Oh, we love Christmas!!

 Merry Christmas from the Cottle house.

It's been wonderful.

Oh, there's no place like home for the holidays.

Well, this morning I finished up a presentation and walked home from campus sighing with relief. Yep, my first semester at BYU is over, and I am homeward bound tomorrow. I can't believe it. These first few months of college have been some of the best-- I have learned so much!

Here are a few things that I have learned:

- There really is life after my Physical Science class. Honestly, there is.
- Sleep is essential; staying up until five in the morning drinking caffeine definitely is not.
- There are some dang smart people in this world. Holy smokes.
- There is magic in doing homework in the library. Seriously.
- Provo is not St. George. Thus, I can't wear sandals in December.
- If you don't do laundry, then you don't have any clean clothes? Go figure.
- It's miraculous what a Reeses peanut butter cup and a little Frank Sinatra can do during studying.
- My family is still my family, and they always will be.

Ultimately, I know that Heavenly Father is always there. He makes the seemingly impossible-- possible.

I loved this semester. I love BYU. I love my new friends. I love Provo. And I love the fact that I am going home in 24 hours.

Mitt's the Man.

I hate to do this, but let's be honest folks... Mitt's the man.

And no... I am not misinformed.

I seriously love this country, and feel like it is my obligation as a citizen to become informed.

Right now, Mitt seems like the best pick.

Check him out for yourself at mittromney.com.

Lately

Well, it's been a couple of weeks...
Things are SO good.

Here are 10 things that have made me happy this week:

1) The weather. I love this cool weather so much-- it's even made me pull out the Christmas music. Too soon? I don't think so.
2) Waking up on Sunday morning and looking at the sun shining on the beautiful snow-capped Wasatch Mountains.
3) A late night drive to a super sketchy park at the base of Provo Canyon. It was quite an adventure.
4) The BYU Homecoming Parade. For a few minutes, I felt like a little girl again.
5) A fun, fun date! We even carved pumpkins. It doesn't get much better than that!
6) BYU won their game on Saturday. Let's be honest here, who isn't happy about that?
7) Hot cocoa. I chugged a 20 oz. cup. Awesome.
8) I was able to see my cute sister on Saturday when she was up in Provo! I love her big time.
9) Sweet Potato Fries. Honestly, I've found my new favorite food.
10) Making even more new friends. Seriously, Heavenly Father knew I needed them in my life. They are making such a big difference!!


"In all living, have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed-- not just endured."
                                   -Gordon B. Hinckley

Once again, I am so blessed

I feel so fortunate that I was able to hear the divine words of my Heavenly Father through His servants at the General Relief Society Meeting last night. This talk by President Uchtdorf was so powerful.

So blessed.

I would be so awfully ungrateful if I didn't share what I have been experiencing lately.

So.... I've been having one rough time. College is the hardest thing I have experienced so far. I was home a couple of weekends ago, and when it was time for me to come back to Provo, I did not want to leave. I love my home so much. When I'm there, I belong, I'm comfortable, and I can be myself. When I'm here at BYU, I'm just one of 30,000. It is so overwhelming. So sorry to be negative, but it is scary. I came back to school after that weekend, and I felt so utterly alone. This is really personal... but I just prayed and prayed for direction, because I felt so lost.

But....since then, I have already gained such a stronger testimony of how aware my Heavenly Father is of me. He has shown His love to me through numerous ways.

-He showed His love for me on Sunday afternoon when I walked to the Provo temple with my friends. Sitting on those temple grounds made me feel so close to Him, and I felt so at peace.
-He showed His love for me on Tuesday morning when I called my little brother. Hayden ended the conversation by saying, "Lauren, when are you coming home? I miss you. And I love you." That was exactly what I needed to get through that day.
-He showed His love for me when on Tuesday night I stopped at my mailbox to find a note from my roommate. Little did she know, I was having a hard time, and her note meant so much.
-He showed His love for me today as I was walking out of the Testing Center (after probably bombing my test), and a darling boy approached me. The boy simply thanked me for making an effort to dress modestly, that I looked nice, and he was on his way. He was probably just being nice, but his sweet comment made a difference in my moment of discouragement.

Two weeks ago, I wouldn't have been able to imagine how happy I am today. College is hard. It is oh, so hard. But I am being reminded so often of my Heavenly Father's hand in my life. He knows me. He will never leave me to struggle alone. He knows exactly what I need and when I need it. His love makes me so happy, so purely happy; and I am blessed because of it. I love my life here, and I am so grateful that I don't have to experience it without the divine help of my Father in Heaven.