grass clippings

There are good people in the world.

My landlord asked if someone from my side of the duplex would mow the lawn this week because it was starting to look like the grasslands. Jill has been with family, Ave works all day and Mel was leaving to New York so I graciously volunteered for the job. One problem, I've never mowed the lawn with a push lawn mower. Now I'm slightly embarrassed to admit this, but whatever. As of right now while I'm writing this I can say otherwise. Anyway, I came home from practice and got the lawn mower out. (is lawn mower one word or two? I don't know obviously so I'm going with the choice that seems to suit my mood best right now) Well it is a piece of junk. It has no bag, it stops every 2 minutes and frankly, I think it needs to be retired. Then it ran out of gas before I could demolish the weed patch that went up to my knee cap. Yep, you read it right - my knee cap. So I did what any sensible person would do. I took a shower and told myself that after the birthday festivities for my cute dad were over I would finish the job. FAST FORWARD 9 hours. I'm driving home from my parents house, pretty beat from babysitting and slip 'n' sliding all day, and notice as I drive up that the rest of the lawn is mowed. And it looks amazing. Upon further investigation, all the extra grass spewed out everywhere was swept up and in the garbage. I went to my neighbors and asked if they finished, they said no. My neighbor who helped me raise the lawn mower to cut longer grass didn't do it either. It was my cute home teachers from last semester who finished the work. I never would have known if I hadn't snooped around a bit. I started to cry. Not like an ugly sob but a cute, almost angelic cry. Kidding, but I guess it would be more correct to say I got emotional and teary eyed.


Honestly, that is one the sweetest things that has happened in awhile. They made no attempt to get credit for what they did and it really meant so much to me. To Andrew and Kevin, thank you. 

self explanatory

"The world's greatest champion of woman and womanhood is Jesus the Christ."

-James E. Talmage

"The cultivation of Christlike qualities is a demanding and relentless task - it is not for the seasonal worker or for those who will not stretch themselves again and again."

-Spencer W. Kimball

"Be confident. Too many days are wasted comparing ourselves to others and wishing to be something we aren't. Everybody has their own strengths and weaknesses, and it is only when you accept everything you are -- and aren't -- that you will truly succeed."

"Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength."

-Unknown

"I Believe in Christ, so come what may" 

-Hymn 134

"nothing is as constant as change"

You know when you are talking to your grandparents and they say something along the lines of, "Don't take this time for granted, it will be over before you know it"? Well I'm starting to feel that way. Kind of. Everything about this next school year encompasses CHANGE. Sometimes change can be overwhelming and scary, but the words of Winnie the Pooh come to mind. 

"Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." 

Not only that pooh bear, but I know that I have a loving Heavenly Father that will provide in every situation I find myself in. Even in times of extreme change and upheaval. 

One big recent change is that Sister Becky Andrus entered the MTC last week and I already miss her! I miss her crazy outfits and the notes that she writes on my car with window markers. 

Waffle Party for Becky

The after party for her farewell

Getting excited to be set apart  

Just packing. NBD

Dinner at Texas Roadhouse 

Last goodbye

Jill and Beck

In our natural form 

See you in 18 months Sister Andrus! 

Becky's gone, Sam is married and summer is just getting started. Another change for me is that starting in the fall I got hired at a studio! It is called UDA and it is located in South Jordan. I am SO EXCITED!! I've come in to teach a couple of classes and seriously fallen in love with the girls. I think I am most excited about the fact that I am starting with them from the beginning of the year so I get to grow and change with them as the year goes on. I am going to be teaching their jazz technique classes and assisting their company director. 

Spring term is now over. Tomorrow I have my modern final and then I am done for 2 months until it all starts over again. That doesn't seem like so much of a change but when I come back to school in the fall my life will be 100 percent different. First off, the schedule that has become second nature to me will no longer exist. In place is a new practice schedule. Can I just say, I am STOKED to have the opportunity to be a Young Ambassador. I already feel so close to so many of the people on it, I can't wait! I'm also a tad bit terrified if I'm being honest. This quote pretty much sums it up, 

"Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown."

After 3 years of being on Cougarettes and 10 years of being on some type of competitive dance team, this is a welcome change. It will also be my second year in the dance major and I'm going to be a senior. Gross. 

So here I go. I'll try my best not to take this time for granted because honestly, life is good.