The legacy still lives on...

Wow! Look at me!! Twice in the same weekend!! Okay, so really, I am just trying to be better at blogging and this is something that I have had on my mind A LOT lately. So, next week, it will be four months since the man I looked up to the most passed away. I was looking through some pictures that my sister sent me of my niece and nephew and thinking, "oh that would be such a cute new background picture for my computer!" However, when I went to change it, I couldn't find it in my heart to change it from Grandpa. I don't know why this is so hard for me! While I was driving back from Jackson, I was talking with Grandma about how to me, it still doesn't seem like he can possibly be gone! I think part of that has to do with the fact that I grew up on the other side of the country and only saw him and my Grandma like once a year when we would come out for the summers, so not seeing him all the time is "usual" for me. However, once I got to college, Grandpa was one of the people who I called and talked to a lot because he was able to help me with my anxiety and homesickness. Plus, I got to see him a lot more often since I was only 3 hours away. Long story short, unless I am at Grandma's house, it still doesn't feel like he is gone. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about him and get sad. Part of me feels like if I change my picture, it means, he is really gone and I am not just going to see him the next time I go down to Utah (I know! This sounds ridiculous!) I was reading the manuscript from his funeral and couldn't help but smile at everything everyone said. Grandpa's life inspired me to be a way better person. He was never angry! Never fought with anyone! Always found the best in anyone or any situation! And simply loved life! I wonder how many people leave this life with that type of legacy....How many people are really able to cross the veil with everyone they are leaving behind knowing that they really did live a Christ-like life!?!?! I know that Melvin Albert White did and I am so lucky to have known him and I can't wait for that day when we will finally have our glorious reunion on the other side of the veil. Even though the one man I wanted so desperately to be with my during those big points in my life, (graduation, wedding and being a significant person in my children's lives) I am grateful that I got so many years with him and that he was able to pass before his body couldn't handle the toll that Parkinson's was putting on it. And, I am grateful that I have the knowledge that it is NOT the end. I will be reunited with him someday and what an amazing day it will be when I get to see him jumping around when he sees me!!
So, for now, I am keeping my background as that handsome man because to me, he does still live..his Spirit and enthusiasm for life and everything in it still lives on and I want him to be with me as a constant reminder of how I want to live my life so that one day, those around me will be as proud of me as I am of my Grandpa Melvin Albert White!

Jackson Hole Pictures

Jackson Hole

I know! I know! I missed my monthly blog! My mom informed me that I need to update this so here we go. Other than school, homework, and sleep, my life is pretty much the same ol' boring thing. HOWEVER, one exciting thing did happen! This past weekend, my Grandma took me on a little vacation to Jackson Hole for my 20th birthday. I had never been before and HOLY COW! I am in love! It was SO beautiful there and I absolutely had an amazing weekend! Our weekend started with GGd driving up to Rexburg from Utah and whisking me away from classes around noon. Then, we gabbed a quick lunch and began our drive east to Jackson. Once we got into Jackson, we checked into our hotel and then headed downtown for some shopping and sightseeing. On our adventure, we can upon the old theater/playhouse and saw that they were performing "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" that night and so we bought tickets for that and the dinner before. Then, we went to waste some time walking around, window shopping, real shopping, looking at galleries and eating fudge :) When dinner came around, we headed to the salon where we got dinner and a show! The cast from "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' served us our food before the show and they would sing periodically throughout dinner. Most of them were students on summer vacation from BYU and let me tell you, some cute cowboys! One of them even came over and serenaded me with a song! After dinner, we headed into the theater where we watched the performance and it was AMAZING!! It was such a good story, great music and hilarious!! Almost peed a few times! After the show, we walked back to the hotel where we relaxed and watched tv for the rest of the night. Saturday morning, we slept in (until 8 am!!!), had breakfast and then headed out to Grand Teton Village. We were going to go white water rafting, but grandma was having some issues with her pace maker since we got here, so we thought we would be safe and not risk spending the rest of the weekend in the hospital! So instead, we just enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Jackson. At Grand Teton Village, there was an antique show so, we walked around there for a while and I got to see all kinds of neat stuff! Grandma and I both were saying how much Dad would have loved it for pictures! There were all kinds of old things: wash boards, tubs, dinning ware, dynamite boxes, furniture galore! Then, we headed back to Jackson Hole and went to the Wort Hotel for lunch/dinner and a rest at the hotel where Grandma took a nap and I got some homework done. Then, we headed back to the town square for some more galleries and then to the movie theater where we saw Midnight in Paris (an okay movie, but not an $8 worth movie). Then, we headed back to the hotel for our routine 48 Mystery and other Murder tv shows. Tomorrow, we are heading back to Rexburg and then Grandma will head back home--definitely not looking forward to it! I LOVE it here!! I have had so much fun and it has been a great 'vacay' before the stress of finals next week. Thanks for the amazing birthday weekend and vacation Grandma!!!!! ((Pictures will come when I get back to the Burg tomorrow))
But hey, on the bright side--11 more days until I get to go home!! HOOORAY! I am so ready for some Iowa lovin'. I know most people have no idea how the cornfields and hog barns and manure smell of Iowa can be so great and sound so appealing but I love it and can not wait to spend a month back there!! I definitely need a break from the college life for a bit and just a chance to relax in the comfort of my home. It has been 7 months since I have been home and 7 months since I have seen my beautiful nieces and nephews! I have a feeling it is going to be a great reunion!!!
Well, I will try to be better at blogging when I get home and have more 'interesting' things to blog about--like the kiddos, trips to Nauvoo, hanging out with the gang and good old work at Eagle's Loft! Till next time... ")

Happy Birthday Cowboy Jace!!

My sweet nephew turns 3 tomorrow (May 9th). Here is a video saying Happy Birthday to my favorite cowboy!! I love you Jacerboy!! You are such a sweet little guy and I can't wait to see you this summer!! Have a fabulous birthday!!!!

Spring break 2011

Well the month of April is almost up so I figured I better get my monthly post in here ;) So, the highlight of this month was ending the semester!!! YAY!! Only 3 more left!!! So, once finals ended, I headed down to Blackfoot for the weekend and spent time hanging out with my aunt and uncle, then on Monday, Carly, Brandi and I jetted off to So. Cali for a week of fun in the sun. We flew into Long Beach at about 3:30 and in order to avoid traffic (yes, my first experiences with legit traffic!!!) we went to Hunnington Beach and walked along the board walk and went seashell hunting. Tuesday, we got up bright and early and headed down to San Diego for the day. Our first stop was the San Diego Temple which was AMAZINGLY beautiful!! I was in shock at how pretty it was. Then, we went down to La Jolla and had a picnic on the beach and watched and named all the seals lying on the shore. We also had the opportunity to go to the Mormon Battalion museum which was so much fun. We then ended the day by relaxing in the hot tub and watching movies. Wednesday, we caught up on all the sleep we lost over the semester and around 2 p.m. finally got out of bed and headed to the mall and went shopping for the afternoon. Thursday was spent laying out by the pool and working on our suntans (and in my case, working on my sunburn :)). Friday, we headed out to Oceanside where we spent the whole day on the beach and then went rock climbing by the pier and watched the sunset on the beach. Saturday was one of my favorites where we went to the Orange County swapmeet and got some great deals! Then we drove up to LA and went to the Hollywood sign and went to Sunset Blvd and to the LA temple. LA was amazing!! However, it was way too busy for me!! It took so long to get anywhere!! But it was so much fun!! Then Sunday, we started the long journey of driving home to Idaho. All in all, it was an amazing experience going to California. I have never been to the beach so many times in one week and seen so many temples so close to eachother! However, I am so grateful my parents raised us in the middle of nowhere in a little podunk town with only one stop light. I am not a city person!! Being in CA was such a culture shock but I l realize I love my good ol' Nevada Iowa ;).
Now, I am back at school for the summer and am already having spring fever! I am definitely looking forward to July and being able to go home for about a month!!

Well Done Thou Good and Faithful Servant - Melvin Albert White

Sadly last night my grandfather past away. At the beginning of Jan. he fell in Chuckarama and shattered his hip. After spending 3 long months in the hospital and a rehab facility, he was finally able to go home last Monday. However, once home, he got very sick with multiple infections, a very high fever, and was just overall very weak. He ended up going to the hospital last week and continued to decline. Yesterday evening, he asked to go home so that he would not have to die in the hospital. So, they took him home and a couple hours later, he was gathered to his people on the other side of the veil. Although this has been very hard on my whole family, we are all grateful that he no longer has to be in pain or suffer.
My grandfather was the most incredible man I have ever met and I am so lucky that I got to have him in my life for almost 20 years. I have never before met someone as amazing as him. He had the greatest stories, always sang the craziest songs and was so much fun to talk with. He was always someone that I looked up to and admired and I will still always remember him. I am so grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the comfort that it gives me in knowing that I will see him again. This isn't the end and I know without a doubt that he is in an amazing place and will always be with me. I love you Grandpa and you will be missed!!

February

So I have decided that if I post once a month, I am in good shape...so here is my February post! Really this month hasn't been anymore exciting than last month sadly. We started out the month by celebrating my roommate Brandi's 20th birthday. We headed down to IF for the night to go out to eat at Red robin and then came home and had people over for games and cake. For Valentine's Day, all us single ladies decided to just have a girls night with pizza, ice cream, and chick flicks. I think that is WAY better than having a date for Valentine's Day. Last week was midterms so I am halfway done with this semester!!! Then I will officially be a junior and only have 1 more year left!! The plan is that I will graduate April 2012 and student teach April-July. I CANNOT wait to actually get in a classroom and teach!! I am also counting down the days until July when I get to go home for 6 weeks and see everyone! I think the worst part about being at school is being away from Madelyn, Brooklyn and Jacerman.
Oh, I forgot, come April, Carly, Brandi and I are going to spend our spring break in Cali. We bout tickets for $69 and are going to spend the week at Brandi's family's home in California. We are going to spend a lot of time on the beach, head to LA for a day, visit San Diego and just relax in the nice warm weather! We are all counting down the days until we can leave snowy, cold Rexburg for a vacation! Other than that, nothing new has happened here..till next month :)