Mak is Back

I love missionaries. 

I love Makenzie. 

I love returned missionaries. 

I love returned missionary Makenzie. 

I flew out to California to surprise my bestest friend Makenzie and it was the perfect weekend. We enjoyed beautiful California weather, catching up on social media, recapping on life events, and best of all, reminiscing of the "good ol' days" of being roommates. 

Kenzie and I were roommates our freshmen year and then sophomore year until she followed her heart and served a mission and I followed mine and got married. You can bet we had lots to catch up on. We laughed until we cried remembering all our craziness, oh and watching this ridiculous video- 

People say the friends you make in college will be the greatest friends you ever have. 

I believe it. 

Love you Mak :)

CHRISTmas.

One more week until Josh and I make the move to DC! We are pushing through finals and then we are on our way! Everyday we get more and more excited for this adventure. How great is it that I get to go to the greatest city in the world and do what I love with the person I love most! I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for this opportunity.

For some reason I have been thinking a lot about my experience in Africa. I keep being reminded of the biggest lesson that I learned while being there, and I've finally figured out why it's been on my mind.

As we traveled around to different places and met new people I would want to help everyone in some way. I didn't always know how to help all of them. So I started to say quick specific prayers. When I saw someone I wanted to help but didn't know how I would pray and ask Heavenly Father to help, protect or give me some idea of how to help them. Those prayers usually went like this: "Heavenly Father, please help that little boy walking home alone from school that he can get home safely" or "bless that young girl who is taking care of her 2 younger siblings." Each time I would get an immediate, almost overwhelming, feeling of peace. I would have a thought come to mind that said, "I've got it" or "I'm on it." I was reassured that Heavenly Father knew everyone single one of His children and knew exactly what they needed. He had a plan for each one.

I realize now why this lesson has been on my mind so much recently. It's because when I'm teaching in DC I will want to help each one of my students but my reach is only so far into their lives. If I am in tune to the Spirit I can receive promptings as to how to help each child individually. And in those moments where I may not be able to help them Heavenly Father is well aware of their specific situation and has a plan. All He needs me to do is my part and the rest is taken care of, whether it be by another servant or by His hand directly.

I am so grateful for this Christmas season that reminds me of the love of my Savior and His ultimate sacrifice that makes it possible for me to do better everyday and not be defined by my mistakes. Without the greatest gift of Christ's life I wouldn't have the hope of the future, or His example to live by as a teacher and just as a human being.

While preparing for this adventure I've been fighting feelings of inadequacy but as I remember that I have a loving Father in Heaven that has given me tools improve my talents, I have gained a sense of peace. I know that as long as I use those tools in my life He will work in me to help me be a successful teacher and role model.

I love this gospel and all the blessings it brings me. I know we all have a loving Father in Heaven who knows us individually and intimately. He cares for us and send us aid when we need it most. We also have a loving Savior who made it possible to progress and make improvements on our life to be the best we can. And that is the greatest gift of the season- Christ's life and Atonement.

Doin' Big Things...

I figure it's time to officially blog about Josh and I's upcoming adventure! We have been so busy preparing that it's been tough to keep up with school, work, and everything else going on in our lives! (Not to mention blogging!) Well anyways, here is our next adventure-

These two lovebirds are flying off to live in DC for 4 months! We are so excited to go back to where we got engaged! (And I'm really excited to move close to home for a couple months!) So what is bringing us to DC you ask? Well, my extremely intelligent and handsome husband applied and got accepted to BYU's Washington Seminar Program where he will have the opportunity to learn about many different career options he has as an Economics major. He is currently still involved in the applying process for the possible internships but so far the prospects are looking good! With the program we got housing right in DC and we are so excited to try city life out. I will be doing my Student Teaching and a coaching internship. I'm still in the process of figuring out which school I'll be at, but somewhere in DC that's for sure! While I'm a little nervous about the prospect of teaching in such an urban school district I am continually gaining enthusiasm for the opportunity ahead. 

After our DC adventure we will come back to Utah for me to finish up one class over the summer and Josh to finish his last semester in the fall. Then who knows where life will take us after that! It's both exciting and a little nerve-racking to have a future open to so many possibilities. But I think both of us have decided to go with exciting. 

Also I'd just like to mention that Josh and I have almost been married a whole year. I can hardly believe how fast time has flown. It's been the best almost year of my life! (you can count on a mushy anniversary blog come Dec. 21) 

The Month of October

Every year when October rolls around I go through an internal struggle. I debate whether or not to blog about my experience with Breast Cancer. When I was 13 my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer. My Mom has told me in the past that she has struggled with October meaning everything being pink for a month instead of it meaning the leaves changing color and Fall being in full swing. After she finished Chemo she had to get rid of all the things that reminded her of Chemo, for example her big, comfy blanket she had used in each Chemo visit. I struggle with October because I don't want to give one more reason for my Mom to think back about that incredibly difficult year for her and my family. But I've decided this year it's important for her to know what I think about when I see the color pink take over October.

I think about when my Dad told my sister and me the news. He had tears in his eyes with a look of extreme worry yet strong determination. He promised us that this experience would bring our family closer together. He proved to be absolutely correct. I remember that was one of the first times I remember getting a real glimpse at just how much my Dad loved my Mom. His love continued to manifest as he took her to all the doctors appointments, kept the house and family organized, remained a faithful Bishop, and even gave her daily shots as part of her treatment. He stood strong by her side teaching me how to be a strong and supportive spouse. 

I think about the many friends that rallied together to help my family out in any way they could. When my Mom had to get a mastectomy her friends gave it a positive spin by throwing her a party complete with a Boob cake. They kept the love coming by sending little notes, prayers, and thoughts our way. They helped with dinners, rides, and anything else our family needed. I learned how important it is to be a good friend and to have good friends in return.  

Most importantly I think of my Mom being a fighter. I think of my Mom being incredibly strong throughout the long, hard path. I think of how she has continued to fight for her health. I think of how she admits to her weaknesses but is brave enough to address them and carry on fighting. She taught me that when the going gets tough the tough get going. 

So I'm ok with pink taking over October. While it reminds me of the ugliness that is Breast Cancer, it mostly reminds me of the good things that came because of it. 

Summer Lovin'

Had to do the clique title because it describes my summer perfectly- a summer that I loved! Although both Josh and I worked a lot and took classes, we still found time for fun and sun.

We are living in Payson while Josh's grandparents are on a mission and it's been pretty exciting living in the country! We live 15 minutes away from Utah Lake and the Grandparents left us their psychedelic boat and we took full advantage of that awesome perk!

We also had a summer filled with family, which is a recipe for happiness if you ask me! Josh's parents and extended family were able to come to visit pretty often and we got to spend a weekend at Lake Powell in their new boat! We went wake boarding for our first time and I'm very proud to announce that both Josh and I got up our first tries. I was completely shocked I got up that I couldn't stop laughing and I fell fairly quickly but as time went on I began to be able to reduce my giggles but never quite could get rid of my massive grin! We were just having too much fun!

We also got to go the beach house with my family and it was such a fun week. We tried kite boarding and Josh liked it but I was terrified and am fine to never do it again. My dad enjoyed it too! We of course had to go play Bingo and Josh and my Mom got bingo but my Dad and I left big losers. I know it's because my Mom and Josh believed in their good luck charms but my Dad and I were non-believers of such foolishment. We've also been able to spend a good amount of time with my Snow side with baptisms, birthdays, water aerobics, family dinners, and carnivals! And of course I had to go on snow-cone runs with my favorite sister!

you may say i'm a dreamer...

Marriage has taught me many things. It's been quite the growing experience. One of the biggest things it has taught me, or rather reinforced in me, is that I am a hard core dreamer. My mind is always on the future with lofty goals and well, dreams. I've only been married 7 months but my "head in the clouds" mindset was been quite magnified since being eternally matched with a very logical and rational thinker.

I'm dreaming about what the next couple, or many, years will bring Josh and I. Whether it's using my loved Zillow app to look up extremely expensive houses that make my husband feel pressured or planning our big graduation celebratory trip around the world, I'm always conjuring up extensive and expensive plans that make my husband look and our bank account and worry.

As soon as I realize I've gone maybe a bit too far with the 1.5 million dollar home on the lake we can buy right after we graduate college I have to quickly remind my sweet husband that I'm a dreamer, these aren't expectations.

Zillow.com

We would have our own peninsula!

I get so wrapped up in dreaming about taking long trips to the Philippines to see Josh's mission or going back to Uganda for 3 months that I forget things like school and work and money.. Good thing I married a man who can bring me back down to earth with one comment like, "Yea that would be great but, I only get 7 days off in the summer."

Sometimes I'll admit I get a little frustrated thinking, why can't you just dream with me?? Why do you have to burst my bubble? But then I realize it's for my own good. If I were always dreaming of what could be I'll miss what is. It's not that I'm unhappy with my life as it is now, not at all! I'm just a girl with dreams who wants to see the world! I just have to remember that seeing the world costs money and it takes time, money and time we may not have at the moment. And that's ok!

Josh and I have just realized that we are a perfect match. I can dream and he can be realistic, both of which are important. So we are working on Josh allowing himself to dream a little with me and me learning to not get too caught up in my big plans.

I have to mention, that I can attribute my "head in the clouds" syndrome to my Mother. Together we could plan some pretty amazing things that I'm afraid would only worry our husbands.

Mom: The Enthusastic, Constant, and Eternal Cheerleader

One of my jobs this summer is Supervising T-ball and Fastpitch baseball for K-2nd graders. Today was my first day and I loved every second of it. My favorite part of the whole day was in the first game. The kids each get 5 tries to hit the ball from the machine. This one boy was swinging to slow and couldn't make contact at all, then his final try came. The whole crowd was cheering for him, both teams, seeing that he was getting discouraged. I just pictured his Mom sitting on the bleachers praying that he could at least get a piece of it on his last try. Not only did he get a piece of it but he had a great hit right along the 3rd base line. He had a moment of shock, then after hearing the whole crowd yell "RUN!" He dropped the bat and took off to 1st base with a huge grin on his face. Once he made it safely to 1st he turned to his Mom on the bleachers and said, "MOM! I did it! I really did it! Did you see my hit?? I can't believe I did it!" He was jumping up and down with his fists in the air and the biggest smile on his face. What a perfect Mother's Day gift to that mom that took no planning, money, or glam. I'll admit I got a little teary-eyed.

That little boys excitement got me thinking about all those moments that I did the same thing to my Mom. I may not have yelled at her from the field but I would look to her after a good play, or even my bad ones, because I knew what I would see. I would see my Mom in the crowd giving me encouraging looks, thumbs-up and reminding me of her support, love, and motto- "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." I can't even begin to guess the number of soccer, swim, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, percussion, viola, piano, choir, games and concerts my Mom has taken me to and supported me at. I could always count on her to be in the crowd wearing her Herndon gear next to my Dad and being my greatest cheerleader in between chatting with the other parents.

Don't mind the gremlin in the bathing suit..

I can still hear her voice in my head when I'm working to accomplish anything, whether it be a tough test (which is any test really), a run, or job interview. She's saying, "Go Annie, Go!' with her eyes exuding intensity, her voice quiet yet forceful, and her hands quenched in a tight fist punching the air.

How lucky I am to have a Mom who has been my greatest cheerleader my whole life in everything that I do. I know that my Mom is proud of me and that even when I miss a shot, don't get an A, or make mistakes she is still cheering me on and always will be. She is my greatest example of how to be encouraging and confidence instilling.

So thank you, Mom. Thanks for coming to all those games, plays, concerts, and recitals. You dealt with my procrastination, forgetfulness, and ridiculousness for many years and continue to everyday. I love you and am so proud to be Laurie Snow Turner's daughter that looks just like her.