Post-Mission Call

It has been almost a month since I opened my mission papers.

Oh, how time flies. 100 more days until I leave, and I know that it will be here before I know it. I can't wait. I try to stay busy, and trust me.. it's not that hard to do while in college.. but it's always there. Whether it's in the back of my mind, or the front.. it's constantly reminding me of the amazing opportunity I have to serve a mission. There are moments where I feel like it's all a dream that I'm going to wake up from, but it's not.. and that's the best part. :)

Life lately:

 Volleyball Games

 Archery

 Movie Nights

 Chocolate Fondue, and Pretzels

& Basketball Games

I want to give a shout-out to my parents. 

I'll be the first to tell you that I often take them for granted. The phone calls, the random texts, and skype sessions. Whether we are talking about the weather, life, or a Thunder game from the night before, I look forward to every conversation. They tell me they love me. They support me. They listen to my occasional rants, and can always bring a smile to my face. More importantly, I love that they love each other. Whether it's a corny joke from my dad, or encouragement from my mom.. I don't know where I'd be without either of them.

Joy in the Journey

Sometimes I get caught up in the stressfulness of college life. The constant studying, never-ending midterms, ramen noodles, study groups and the constant search for quarters on laundry day. 

Then... I pause, and realize how great life is. 

Just look around you. It's one of the most beautiful times of the year. I love all the beautiful fall colors and I can't help but smile when I walk under a tree and leaves fall around me. 

I was talking to a friend last night who is at a completely different stage in life than I am, and it made me realize we all have our own trials and stresses. I find myself thinking that things will be easier when I get into my program, or when I graduate, or once I'm married, etc... I'm always looking to the next best thing in life, expecting it to be easier.. but that's not how it works. No matter where you are in life, you're going to have trials and it's not going to be easy.

The key is to find joy in the journey. 

Stop and take one minute to look at the beauty all around you. Tell your family you love them. Say a prayer of gratitude for the life you have and..smile. :) You'll never be at this point in your life again, so enjoy it while you can.

The Big Announcement

For those of you who don't know.. my church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, made some big changes in their missionary program on October 6th. Here is a video of it; it's really short.

In this video, our church President, Thomas S. Monson, announces that young men can now serve a mission at 18 (down from 19), and young women at 19 (down from 21). (They will still serve for the same amount of time-- 2 years for men, and 18 months for women.) This inspired change will dramatically increase the number of missionaries across the world, and will allow the gospel of Jesus Christ to spread to even more places!

Now... how does this affect me??

Growing up, I have never considered serving a mission. It wasn't until I first came to BYU, that I even thought about it. I remember thinking about how cool it would be to teach the gospel to those who have never had the opportunity to hear it, but at the same time... I didn't want to wait until I was 21. It seemed so far away. Recently, I had even talked with my roommates about serving a mission and said that if the age was lower, I would definitely go. But, we had no idea that President Monson would make this announcement!

To say I was excited, would be an understatement. As soon as I heard the words come out of his mouth, I knew that I wanted to go. Over the next couple days, I talked to my family about it and they were all supportive of whatever choice I made, but I needed to make sure that it was what God wanted me to do. I have made it a matter of prayer the past couple weeks, and I have continually been filled with peace and joy with this decision. I know that I'm supposed to serve a mission :)

I plan on starting my papers when I come home for Christmas. My availability date will be in May, so I will hopefully leave sometime this Summer! I can't wait to go out and serve the Lord for 18 months. I am really nervous, and have a lot of studying and preparing to do, but I am mostly just really, really excited. :)

I love this quote from Jeffrey R. Holland - "This announcement isn't about you. It's about the sweet and pure message you are being asked to bear and the ever greater numbers God needs to bear it."

I am so blessed to be apart of this generation-- to go forth and bear witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know the truth, and I can't wait to share it with others.

Goodbye Oklahoma

The last couple days were full of 'goodbyes' and 'see you laters'. I really hate goodbyes; they're never fun, but they always remind me of the many people I'm grateful to have in my life.

Here's a few of the pics I've taken this week..

Tuck! 

Alisha and Cara! Went and ate at BJ's for C's 21st yesterday! 

The Bailey's! I've babysat them for the last 7 years.. Love these kiddos.

Gillespie's dressed up in their BYU gear for me :)

But it's official. I am no longer in Oklahoma. The trek to Utah begins Pops is coming with Betty and I. Betty's never been this far away from home, so let's hope she makes it! It is a long, unexciting 19 hours; however, it will be worth it. :) 

Okie friends and family... I love y'all. See you in December!

Two Days

It's funny how time can sneak up on you.

I've been looking forward to this week for months, and now it's here! I never thought I would be this excited to get back to Utah. It's not that I'm ready to leave home... but I'm ready to be in Utah. (I know.. kind of an oxymoron.) But at this point in my life, BYU is definitely where I'm supposed to be.

I am really excited to unpack everything in my apartment. I know that seems weird, but I can't wait to decorate everything and turn it into my home for the next year. Then to be reunited with my roommates.. :) It'll be fantastic. I'll have to introduce them to you soon.

This was a good week though. Lots of sleeping in, and finishing up little projects around the house. My good friend, Tyler Bean, came home from his mission this week. He served in Mexico. It was good to see him, and hear him speak today. (His accent is priceless.) I was looking at my brother, Tyler, and Ryan Hawkley all talking together and was thinking how crazy it was that they are all home. I know it's brought a tear to our mother's eyes as they realize their kids are all growing up.

Not a bad group, eh? 

Two more days of craziness. I'm a pro at procrastination, so it shouldn't be a problem ;)

Where did the time go??

My baby sister is starting first grade today. When did that happen?! 

I look at these, and can only think of how young we both look. But... I don't feel like it was that long ago. It seems like just yesterday the nurse was handing her to me. I was the first person to hold her after she was born, and I remember telling her, "I'm your big sister, Shelby. We're going to be best friends someday." What I didn't know.. was that 'someday' started right that second. 

As much as I'll miss everyone in my family when I go back to school... I'll miss Sydney the most. I'll miss watching her gymnastics. I'll miss her scaring me with a Justin Bieber cut-out in the closet. I'll miss watching her grow up.  It's tough. She doesn't always understand why I have to leave. She sometimes asks, "When are you going back on your mission?" Haha..with Brandon serving his mission in Utah, it's confused her a bit. 

I have one more week home, and it will be full of this little girl. :) 

Life goes by fast. Don't waste it worrying about things that... in the long run.. really don't matter. 

This week..

Hello everyone!

If you've seen the TLC commercial, where a guy says he's "crafting his (ace) off"..well, that's been me this week.  

Here is what I've finished..

This is my favorite.

 I found some wood at the farm, painted it, outlined the state with nails and then wrapped string all around it! And... Voila! :)

I can't take much credit for this one, but I have been helping mom with it. It's all of my high school t-shirts, into one big blanket. I love it!! Mom has done an awesome job, and I can't wait to have it on my bed at school next year.

I've also finished a total of 4 aprons.. I have 2 to finish this week. So I'll post a picture once I finish all 6 of them. These are for myself, and my roommates! Then I'm working on this frame with the home states of all my roommates. It's going to look pretty neat; I just need to take the time to finish it.

Other things of note this week..

• I loaded up on stuff from my great-grandma's house, who passed earlier this year. I'm really grateful that I'm going to be able to use a lot of her stuff for my apartment! Kitchen supplies, a TV, etc. My roommates and I are all very excited to not have to worry about purchasing these things. It's been quite a blessing. 

• I have a new baby cousin! His name is Brody Scott Krueger, I'll hopefully be heading down to Dallas next weekend to see him.

• I was able to listen to Ryan Hawkley's homecoming talk! He served as a missionary in Brazil for 2 years, and it was really cool to see how it's affected his life. He seems a lot more confident in himself, and much stronger in his testimony of Jesus Christ. It's truly amazing what missions can do. 

• Speaking of missions... Brandon will be home in 11 days! :)

A quote I read in the book I'm reading, that I really liked..

"There's a big confusion in this country over what we want versus what we need. You need food, you want a chocolate sundae. You have to be honest with yourself. You don't need the latest sports car, you don't need the biggest house. The truth is, you don't get satisfaction from those things. You know what really give you satisfaction? Offering others what you have to give. Devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning."

-Tuesdays with Morrie

Wait... what?

Did you know I'm already a sophomore at BYU??

Where did the time go?? 

I know you're thinking... "Shelby, you said in the last post you wanted time to speed up so you could get to Utah!" 

Yeah.. well.. I have been journalizing my scrapbooks that mom finished and realized.. time is already going by fast. 

I think it hit me today that.. I'm living my dreams. Riiiight... now! 

I remember when I was 14, I went to EFY for the first time. It's a week-long summer camp my church has. It was the first time I had been around such a large group of Mormon kids my age. It was then that I realized... Mormons aren't too bad :) And... maybe someday... I should go to a school full of them! BYU was my goal from then on. 

Fast-forward to when I'm 17, the night before my brother leaves to serve a 2-year mission for the Lord. It's probably 2am, he's laying on my bed and we are talking about all the things that will happen while he's gone. I would graduate from high school, go to BYU, and finish my freshman year of college before he came home. I remember saying that I hoped I'd make good friends in college. But Brandon was always more worried about the boys. Before he received his call, he told me that he was going to serve in Provo so that he could keep an eye on me. After he was called to Salt Lake City, he said "See, I told you!" :) 

And now.. I'm 19. Brandon comes home in 18 days, and all of those things have happened!

It's crazy how fast the time goes. Before I know it, I'll be turning 30 with kids running around the house and a sweet husband by my side.

I'm excited for what's going to come in the many years ahead, but right now...

I'm going to enjoy where I am now :)

Utah... I miss you.

I've been home for over 2 months... and I'm ready to get back to Provo.

I miss the mountains, the cool weather, and all my friends.

I'm excited to see my roommates again. 

I'm ready to put all the different Pinterest crafts we've made in our apartment.

I'm just...  ready for this next school year... Please come faster!?

Don't get me wrong...I love Oklahoma. But at this point in my life... it's not where I'm supposed to be. 

4 weeks until Brandon gets home & our Alaska Cruise

5 weeks until my last day of work

6 weeks until I head to Utah

7 weeks until I move-in to my apartment

8 weeks until sophomore year begins..

It's going to all go by fast...

P.S. My current crafts: I finished 2 aprons, in the process of working on 2 more, and then still need to find fabric for the last 2. Also working two other crafts. I'll post pictures soon.

Daddy

Today is Father's Day, and I am feeling so grateful for mine.

Pops 

He is the man who taught me:

It's good to have wants.

To never make mom mad.

How to fish, mow & shoot a gun. 

Lights.. they don't turn off themselves.

OU football.

How to eat ribs.

To always put my Heavenly Father first in life, with family close behind. 

Money doesn't grow on trees.

How to throw and catch a softball.

To put others before myself.

That I can always be better.

...the list could go on.

He's always believed in me and supported me in every way as I follow my dreams. He treats my mother with love and respect and is a true example of how a husband should be to his wife. He is the best father to his 5 children and never lets a day go by without letting us know that he loves us.
Oh, how I love him.

 I hope and pray that one day... I will marry a man just like my daddy.

Wedding

My cousin was married yesterday. I don't know what it is about weddings, but they always make me look forward to my own special day.

My cousin Devin, and his beautiful bride, Kim. 

I have been asked many times since being home if I found a "special someone" while at BYU. I'm sure it's just because of the reputation BYU has for girls getting married their first/second year out, but to answer your question.. No. There is no boy I am dying to get back to in August. Sorry to disappoint all of you :) 

In dating LDS (Mormon) guys, there is one thing that can be kind of difficult... they all go on their missions when they turn 19. Because of that, I think it's always in the back of your mind when you start to date someone that hasn't served their mission yet. If you lose sight of that, and get too close to someone it can be really hard when that boy leaves for 2 years to serve the Lord. But, it is such a great thing for these young men to do, and it's truly a blessing for me to watch so many of my friends leave everything behind to serve different states or countries around the world. These guys come home two years later more mature, and (more importantly) stronger in their testimonies of Jesus Christ. 

Anyways.. back to weddings... my cousins wedding was really nice. Most all of the decorations she made from Pinterest! It was pretty cool to see an entire Pinterest board come together to make a beautiful wedding. I definitely will keep some things in mind for my reception down the road. And when I say down the road... I mean, dooowwn the road. :) I am in no rush to put a ring on it, and can't wait to spend the next couple years with my roommates in our apartment... 

It's gonna be awesome.

Heard this quote today... and I love it. 

"Dance with God, and He will let the

 perfect man cut in."

But until then, Roommates.... here I come! :)

Trip to Texas

Last weekend.. was amazing! We somehow ended up getting a big group of BYU friends to meet up in Dallas. My friend Meghan flew to OKC from California, and along with Jessica (a future roommate who lives in Edmond) we drove down! It was a fun road trip. Then in Dallas, our friend Randy flew there with his dad (for a business trip) from California, Ryan lives in Plano, and then Rex is in Norman for the Summer and drove down Friday afternoon.. 

ANYWAYS... Jess, Meghan, and I drove down Thursday night. We picked up my cousin, Dalton, and headed to Bahama Bucks to get a snow cone!

Cousin!!

She is so talented.

Then we all went to the lake Friday (along with Eric, and Jarett). We rented a boat, and had a lot of fun tubing, and just swimming around the boat. Here's some pics...

The group :)

Eric and me on the tube!

Love these chicas! 

Miller driving the boat!

Eric.... being Eric.

After the lake we ate, and watched a movie at my aunts house. Then on Saturday we went to Hurricane Harbor! (Yes... I did get a tan being outside so much.) No pictures from Hurricane Harbor.. but it was pretty fun. That night we watched the Thunder BEAT the Lakers, and stayed up late having fun while... doing a lot of nothing.. haha :) Then Sunday... church! 

Looove this picture. 

REX!! This guy is living in Norman for the Summer.. Can't wait!

Doing the "Miller".. 

 Drove home Sunday.. and before Meghan left for Cali early the next morning we took her on the zip line at the farm!

.... yep... that's my sister! 

 It was great to get away for a few days, see some old friends, and make new ones. Since being home from the Y, my social life has drastically decreased.. which is completely expected, but it was definitely a nice change for the weekend. BUT.. now back to work and all of that fun stuff :) 

I started Insanity on Monday.. I'll keep you guys updated with how much that's kicking my butt... and I have started 1 of the 6 aprons I'm making this Summer for myself and the roommates. 

Here is the "before" picture...

Welcome to the Real World, Shelby.

What is Summer Break?? 

I'm just now realizing that Summer will never be the same. 

No more, care-free, work a little, play a lot Summer.

Guess that's what my parents meant when they said I'm an adult :)

So let's see... I got a job at Grace Living Center in Norman as a CNA. It is really a great facility, and after my first full week I am finally getting the system down. I work from 7am-3pm, Mon-Fri, which is exactly what I wanted, and I really do like it. The only thing I would say I don't like... are the other employees!! Some of my co-workers love complaining to me about someone else not doing their job. It gets annoying after awhile... especially when the people I work with are a good 15 years older than me. It's not my job to worry about what the other nurses on my hall are doing, it's my job to take care of the residents.

 So quit complaining, and do your job! Other than the immature adults.. I really enjoy it. The residents are some of the funniest people I've met.

Life is great. It really is. :) 

I had a wonderful 19th birthday a few weeks a go with the family, and I'm really soaking up all the family time. Mother's Day yesterday was fantastic. We went as a family to my Grandma's grave, which was really nice to see, and after church, all of my grandparents came over to the house and we ate, ate, and ate some more. :) When they all left, the kids and I decided to try out our new trampoline.. 

AND.. since it was Mother's Day.. we Skyped BRANDON!! 

ONLY 2 MONTHS & 12 DAYS!

Besides working, I'm hoping to get started on a few projects for my apartment next year; however, time always seems to get away from me. I'm enjoying every second of the Play-off's, watching my Thunder boys play, and I'm getting into my late Grandma and Great-Grandma's genealogy work. I have found so many cool things & I have only scratched the surface! It's a lot of fun.

Although this Summer isn't quite a "break"right now, it's going to be great no matter what. I'm missing my roommates from BYU, but.. it will be August before I know it. So I'm going to stay busy, and not wish this Summer away... There won't be another one like it. 

Home.

The last week of college was crazy. I had 5 finals to take, so lots of studying but at the same time you want to spend time with everyone before you leave. Freshman year is unique in the fact that we will probably never see any of the guys again, since they are all going on missions. With that said... I, of course, spent all my time with my roommates, because those are the people I will actually miss haha.

Brighton and McKinlee left early in the week, Madison was with Chase and his family, and Jessica had plans. So Sydney and I partied it up the last day of college.  

 We took stuff to the "Roommates Storage Unit"...can you see Sydney? haha...

Had a dance party in the car...

Bought yellow night gowns at the DI for $3 (quite the steal) :)...

Slept in the back of Sydney's truck...

and watched a chick flick.

That, my friends, sounds like the perfect last night of college to me.

But now I'm home. I love being home, but it is definitely different... Nonetheless, awesome. I spent my first weekend running errands for my mom, watching Austin's baseball games, and spending time with Austin and Sydney outside in the beautiful Oklahoma weather. 

1st stop.. SNOW CONES.

Oh and I have a new sister! Her name is Kaydee.

(Like KD as in Kevin Durant.. what can I say, my fam loves the Thunder!)

I promised Meg we would "Cover the Night" for KONY 2012. We had fun :)

 Syd and I before church! She is such a pretty girl.

Life is good.