This post is a little overdue!

Holy cow! It's been over a year since I have updated my blog! So much has happened that I don't even know if I can remember everything! Anyways, I am living in the Cedars this year. I have my own room and just two roommates. It's a nice change. Pedro and I drove up together in September. It was so nice to have him with me. The little blue car had a hard time making it up those passes on the way to St. George. Pedro knew exactly how to handle the situation and help the car not overheat. I, on the other hand was a wreck. hahah. So, I got settled into school fairly quickly and Pedro and I had to say our goodbyes (yet again) and he flew home. I decided to take 17 credits this semester. Its been a pretty hefty load, but it has definitely kept me busy. I am thankful for that. I played soccer this year again. I was on the Hawks team. And let me just say, even though we didn't win very many games...I had a blast. I loved the girls and my coaches. We played a few great games, and it helped me get into shape. It seems that every time I play soccer, I learn more about myself. It's very special to me, and I think this is why. I learn about the determination I have, the potential I have, the tenacity I have, and so on. Being able to play up here has definitely been a blessing in my life.

Thanksgiving was wonderful! I couldn't ask for a better time. I realized how much I love my family once again. My sisters mean the world to me, and my brothers are the cutest things IN the world. haha. My parents are the best. I have the most respect and love for both of them. The are my inspiration. As for my cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and grandma Jan; they are so much fun, and I love each and every one of them! Thanksgiving is such as special time for me. The Lord has blessed me so immensely. And how could i forget....Pedro had the opportunity to come up as well. It was soooooo nice to see him. I love that he fits right into my family. I am thankful for him and the friendship and love that we share. All of these people have blessed my life in more ways than one. I am so grateful for each of them individually and collectively as a family.

It's coming down the end of the semester, only 16 days until I am completely finished. I am so excited to go home and be with all of my favorite people again. All of my finals should go just fine. I am putting in a lot of work, and I am hoping that my grades will show that. So far they have. I am thankful for the opportunity that I had to be out of state at a college furthering my education. I have learned so much about myself. I am striving to make the best decisions for myself also, and I am also striving to make sure that I am happy, even when times get tough. Prayer, fasting, and scripture study can do wonders for a "down-in-the-dumps" kind of attitude. I have recently re-learned this principle. I love my Savior Jesus Christ and the gospel. I love my family, friend, and boyfriend!

Have a wonderful week! Hopefully I remember to post again soon!

"Put your faith in what you most believe in"-Tarzan

 It's been SO long since I've last posted, and tons has happened. I almost don't even know where to start. Let's begin about a month ago, Pedro was baptized. It was such a wonderful Sunday. I was very happy to be able to witness his special day. I was extremely proud of him for his decision, and I continue to be excited for him as he grows in the gospel. I know that entering into this Church has been a life changing experience for him, and its brought a long many trials of faith, but he's demonstrated a great strength.

Homecoming was that same week! It was so much fun to go back and see friends. I really do miss high school to a certain extent. There were some unforgettable times spent at Rancho. Might I add that I miss high school soccer so so so much. I would go back just to play again. haha

Our plane ride back to Rexburg from home almost got rerouted to Twin Falls, Idaho. Thank goodness it didn't. It all ended up working out nicely. We even went to Ihop after with a few of our FHE brothers.

The next few weeks were pretty drama filled and confusing, to be completely honest. My emotions were very high stung. I made a few big decisions very quickly without completely thinking them through. I can't say that all of them were the best or the worst decisions at the time, but I can say that I learned a lot about myself and others during the chaos.

Thanksgiving rolled around, and I was wonderful to see my entire family again. I realized how much I truly miss seeing them every single day. I had a few good conversations with my Dad. He always knows   what kind of insight I'm seeking. I really admire him. I love my Dad so much.  We went shooting and riding on Friday. That totally made me miss home and the vacations we would take with the Brodowski's, Lee's, McCords, Johnson's, and everyone else. It was a good fun day. Scotty and Addi even got to shoot and ride. Addison could hardly handle the excitement. It was pretty cute.

There has been so much snow out here lately and I've almost slipped about 20 times. It's pretty funny, I'm sure it's even funnier to watch from an outsider's point of view.

There are only 2 more weeks of school! I can hardly believe it. This semester has gone by so quickly. I've learned so much about myself in just one semester. I would advise anyone and everyone to go away for college. The information you learn just from being on your own is irreplaceable.

Our apartment is all decorated up with Christmas decorations. My roommates and I all stayed up until about 2 decorating. We even bought a little mini tree.  Such a fun night.

I deactivated my facebook for a while. I was a little fed up with everyone having a say in my life, and at the time I was extremely confused, and outside opinions weren't really helping my case. Finals are in about two weeks also. I felt like it would be highly beneficial to get off of it for a while, and guess what? It really has. I don't miss it quite yet and definitely can live without it.

This semester has taught me a lot. I've laughed a lot, cried a little, prayed tons, studied as much as I could have, lost sleep, and everything else over the past three months, and I don't think that I would change one thing. It's been a challenge learning how to be happy without my family and close friends within a 5 mile radius, and it's taken me the entire semester to figure out that I deserve to be happy, and that everyone who loves me back home only wants me to be happy! So i've made a resolution even though its not New Years quite yet...I'm going to be happy every single day. I'm going to make the most of life and where ever Heavenly Father intends to take me. I feel good even just typing this!

I love my family. I love my roommates. I love my friends, here and there. I love my Heavenly Father, my Redeemer Jesus Christ. I cannot wait to celebrate His birth together with my loved ones back at home. I don't know if I've ever been so excited for Christmas!

Love,
Leah

it's been a while.

Wow. Its definitely been forever since I last posted something. Lots has happened. Lets start with the amount of hours I spent in the library last week...average of three hours a day. It was insane. I cranked out a 9 page research paper on human trafficking in Mexico, and studied for a nutrition test, which I took on Saturday morning. I took a math test on Friday after school too...and lets just not talk about that one. Friday night was pretty low key after that. Saturday was jam-packed though. Like I said, I got up early and studied more for that nutrition test and then went up to the testing center and took it. After that I came home, took a nice little power nap and then got ready for my game. All of the roommates and a few FHE brothers came to watch the game. Our team had played this team before and beat them 5 to 0, but there were some drastic changes this time. We actually lost 2 to 0. Pretty embarrassing for us, since they're in last place. Anyways, Saturday night Sam, Emma, Brooke and I went to stake conference. It was pretty good, they focused all their talks on temples. After conference we all went out to Teton City and went to the Haunted Mill. We waited in line for a while, and then finally got in. It was freezing the whole night! The Mill was so much fun. We all got pretty scared, I screamed a few times. I had a blast. We actually all want to go back sometime this week. Sunday was a good day too, Sam and I got up and made cinnamon rolls for everyone. They turned out delicious! Then we went to the last half of stake conference. After that I went to a meeting for activities committee. We're planning the upcoming Halloween ward social. I think it'll be pretty fun.
  It's been sooooo cold lately. The forecast actually shows snow tomorrow. I'm not excited. ha.
I have a lot to do this week too. It's going to be pretty busy. But on the bright side, I'll be home 12 days from today! I couldn't be more excited! I can't wait to see everyone.

I'm off to Book of Mormon class and Nutrition!

Love you all!
-Leah

long time no post.

Its been way long since I've last updated my blog! I have found a new love out here in Rexburg, and it's called the Hart Gym. Every other night I take an abs class there, which I absolutely love. I think the university gym is nicer and cleaner than the 24 hour back at home. So that's been my new fix lately. I've also been trying to eat a lot healthier, i've been doing pretty good. I've just mainly cut out a lot of my snacking...which hasn't been very easy. But I do feel pretty good with all this exercise and eating healthy. I' also adjusting to the altitude pretty well. I'll be honest...it took a lot longer to get used to it than I expected, but once I go home and try to exercise, I know it'll be a lot nicer. haha. Today I gave a presentation in my Geography 320 class on central Mexico. It went really well, and I still feel really good about it. I also had a teaching assignment today in my Nutrition100 class. I had to teach a group about fatty acids and triglycerides. I made a pretty awesome study guide which I handed out to all of my group members. My tutor said he was impressed with it, and Sister Tatum liked it too, so that made me feel pretty good about my presentation. Tonight was pretty low key. It was a nice Friday night. I went to the gym for an hour and then came home and watched movies with Sara. We had a nice fruit smoothie. hahah. Jakers called me to talk for while. It was really nice to hear from him too. Pedro is at Halloween Haunt tonight...I wish I was there with him, but I know he's probably having a blast with his brother. There are officially 19 days until I get to come home! I'm definitely super excited! Tomorrow I have a game at 10am, which I'm also excited about. It should be good, I'm always ready to play soccer. I have a lot of stuff coming up this next week too. It's going to get really hectic, really fast. I have a book report due in Book of Mormon a week from Monday and I'm still trying to get through the book. But on the plus side, the book i'm reading, The Infinite Atonement, has been amazing. I also have a 5-7 page research report due on a current issue in mexico due a week from today. So if you have any meaty topics, leave me a comment. College is just moving right along. There are about 9 weeks left in this semester before Christmas Break. It's amazing how fast it moves. I love my parents, brothers and sisters and miss each and every one of them dearly. I miss Pedro. I really miss 6th ward. I miss Dennis and Autum, Dana and Paul. I miss Grandma jan, Grammy and Grandpa. I'm kind of sad that I won't get to be there for stake conference this Sunday, and more importantly...my Dad's birthday, but I know that this is where I'm supposed to be. I love my Dad, and I hope he has a wonderful birthday, I'll definitely be thinking about him on Sunday. I miss a lot of things about home, but I know that missing them for a long period of time, just makes them that much more satisfying, for when I do actually return home.

This post was really unorganized and somewhat crazy...I apologize if it was hard to follow. haha. I'll do better next time. But until then, I love you all!

Love, Leah <3

"Just wanted to call and say good morning"

Woke up this morning, not to my alarm, but to a familiar voice :] Pedro called me to say good morning, and wish me a good day! My day definitely can't go wrong now. Thanks boyfriend <3

Love, Leah

Vital Changes

So I've decided that there are a few vital changes I want to make in my life at this point. I feel like if I put my goals out there for the world to see, I'll do better at achieving them. So here they are...

1. Hit the library everyday. No more studying in the apartment where everything is distracting. Pass every class, exam, & quiz.
2. Get tutors for the classes I'm struggling in. Ask for help!
3. I'm taking a nutrition class, so why not put it to use. I'm going to start eating a lot healthier.
4. Along with eating healthier comes exercise. Gym every weeknight with my roommate!
5. Grow even more spiritually! :)

I feel like I'm just plain trying to boost my health. My mental health, my physical health and my spiritual health.

So far this week, I've been to the library everyday since Monday, read my scriptures every night, and I've gotten two tutors to help me out.
And tonight, Sara and I went to the gym and did some good routines, felt pretty good. We're also going grocery shopping tonight, and I'm sticking to all the health rules I've learned in nutrition.

So wish me luck! I think I can do it.

Love, Leah

Holy Weekend!

  I don't know if my fingers are capable of typing everything that happened this weekend! It was just that good, so we'll see if they can keep up. On Friday around noon, I loaded my bags into the car of a fellow relief society member, and headed off to Lehi, Utah. It felt like quite a long trip. With one wrong turn we were even heading towards wyoming...hahah. But Luckily I found that familiar house, with my wonderful Aunt Denise waiting for me inside. A little later, Sean and Pedro called and said they were on their way. I could hardly keep my eyes off the window as we waited. It was a happy reunion when we met up. I was very happy to see both of them. It was especially nice seeing Pedro again, might I add.

 After we settled down, we all decided to go visit Brooks at Olive Garden. So we went and had a nice dinner, with a pretty cool waiter. haha. Thanks Brooksy! After dinner it was monopoly time, and of course I lost first....lame. But the game went on. I don't really know what the end results were, but I know that it got pretty intense. All I can say is that it was pretty fun to watch...and listen. 

After Monopoly, we turned out the lights and played Murderer around a candle, probably one of the funnest parts of the night.  Weston was pretty much the main target, and apparently everyone wanted him dead first. I know I did. hahah. Love ya, Weston. Another good part was that Pedro didnt let go of his pillow the whole night. I've never seen him so scared. It was hilarious. Our murderer game turned into everyone passing out on the floor and quoting Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory. It was quite the night.

The next morning Aunt Denise and I got up around 9ish. We were supposed to wait for Sean and Pedro to come over for breakfast, but we know better....so we went to mcdonald's. The guys didnt show up until about 11:30 anyways, and by then it was almost time for lunch. So we went to In-N-Out, because "its tradition" Mikey, Dane and Holly came with us to eat. After lunch we went to the Halloween store, and Pedro got yelled at for putting on an Avatar mask. hahah.

Following our pit stop at the halloween store, we went back to the house and watched some conference...while sean and pedro snoozed on the ground. The boys went to the preisthood session and Amber, Heather, Aunt Denise, Brinley and Cambree went to the University Mall. It was a mad house... I guess its the thing to do when your man's away at preisthood. hahah. After the mall we stopped by this cute little chocolate cake place where we had a warm chocolate chip cookie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Sooooo good! 

Then came Thanksgiving Point. So much fun! Pedro, Sean, Mikey, Brooks, Aunt Denise, Heather, Laura (Brook's Girlfriend) and Me all went together, and walked the huge cornmaze and played on the huge slides, and walked through the "beast" maze. It was so much fun. So much fun, I bet sean and pedro even still have their wristbands on. It definitely was an awesome night.

Sunday morning came along. Sean, Pedro and Sam all came over before breakfast and to watch the first Sunday session. When it finished we started getting ready for the second session. We left with plenty of time to get to to conference center, but along the way there were seriously about 4 car crashes. Luckily we made it to the conference center in time to get our seats, before the session started. 

The session was amazing, and the conference center is gorgeous. I'm so glad that I had the opportunity to go. I was blessed to be there with my aunt, cousin, boyfriend, best friend and a good friend/roommate.

After the session was over, we walked temple square and took a picture in front of the Salt Lake Temple. I got to see some friends from the Cypress single's ward from back home. I even got to see President Mackay, which was really nice. 

Once our walk and visit had ended it was time to head back to idaho. Sean dropped us off in Roy City, where we waited for our ride. The ride home went quite fast. I was really exhausted from the weekend, and it was pretty hard saying goodbye to everyone and having to go back to school. But i'm adjusting alright, and I am counting down the days to Pedro's baptism, when I get to go home for 4 days! I'm so excited. 30 days!! 

I had a wonderful weekend, and can't wait to see my family and Pedro again. But for now its time to buckle down and get back to the book. Take care everyone! Love you all!

Love, Leah