YOU want ME to eat THAT?????

Fish. Raw fish. Slimey. Stinky. Discolored. Dead fish. SUSHI! Yes, I did in fact eat it. No, it wasn't my favorite thing in the world. But, it wasn't half bad. And I had fun eating it. Laughed the whole time!!
Had so much fun with Justin and Dolan last night. We went downtown to go ice skating and they were closed...so instead we went and ate sushi. Crazy experience!! But so much fun. We went and watched a movie at Justin's after and had a good time. Well I did at least :)

Just when my life felt like it was falling apart, I realized it really wasn't. That I just learned another lesson and it only made me stronger. I have amazing friends and a WONDERFUL family that have never left my side. And I'm so grateful for that!!

I'm really excited for Christmas. I can't wait to spend time with my family. I feel like it's been forever since I've seen them. I love the holiday season its my favorite. I'm not diggin the snow too much though. Too cold!! And people drive like idiots. Unfortunately, I don't have all of my shopping done and Christmas is 4 days away!!!

expect the unexpected.

I've learned over the last few days that nothing really lasts forever. People change and grow apart. Things happen for a reason. And you should always expect the unexpected...

Last week was a crazy one. Finals week-stressful. My last week with some of the best friends I've ever made. Constant study. Lots of shed tears & a few laughs. Packing up dishes & clothes. Moving things back into my house. But the worst part about it, losing something I'm never getting back. Next time, I'll do this the right way :)

I went to Snow College expecting my life to go as planned. My plans changed. And then, they changed again. I wish I could just make up my mind for once. And stick with my decision. I guess the one thing I learned from all of this is to find me. The real me. Find out who I am and who I want to become. Once that happens, maybe my plans really will work out.

finals.

Finals week. Came almost too fast. But now that it's here I can't wait for it to be done. Honestly, I'm not even over-whelmed with school. Bring on the tests!! Classes are almost done!! All I'm asking is to get out of this town. I'm so sick of Ephraim. I will miss living with my best friends. But, I'm done and I can't wait to go home. End of story.

Thanksgiving was an eventful one. Got in a car accident on the way there. Luckily it wasn't a bad one. Stupid guy that hit me though...hit me and ran. Chicken. Minor damage was done to my new car; Glad about that. Over-all I'm just glad everything was okay.

Christmas is coming quick! I have no idea how it’s here already. Time has FLOWN by. I swear I just barely started school. I’ve learned that as you get older, Christmas shopping for others gets harder and harder. I have no idea what I’m going to get anyone.

GO! GO! GO!

This last week has been a good one. School is almost over and I can't wait. Only one more section in Math. Finals week should be fun! I'll miss this place, all the people I've met and all the friends I've made. Especially Katie! I don't know how I would have gotten through this semester without ya KP!

Have you ever read the book Go, Dog, Go! by Dr Seuss??
That's how I feel like my weekend will be... I'm going home to visit. Can't wait to see my family. I have to go shopping for a family picture outfit! Sid and Tanner will be here too! Can't wait to see them, it's been so long! Family pictures on Saturday afternoon should be fun. I can't wait to see Kellie!! A date with Zach, Colton if we can fit it in and supposed to do lunch with the cheer girls! I hope I can fit it all in. Then a Backus family party on Sunday! So much to do, so little time.

I can't wait to see Sid though! It's been so long! I miss my best friend. I remember the good ol' days when we did everything together. When the highlight of my week was going to Orem to walk around the mall with her. We always thought we were the biggest and baddest in town! Good times! Once upon a time we were attached at the hip. Did anything and everything we could together. Sometimes I think that our parents met and got married so that Sid and I could be sisters and friends. Through good and bad, we've been there! I remember we were still really little and my Mom was cutting Tanner and Boyd's hair...I had a piggy bank that was a scary looking dog. Tanner came running down the hall towards my room. Sidney and I were playing with the dog and when Tanner got close enough we chased him back down the hall barking! Tanner was scared and cried...I could go on for hours about the times we've had......

It will be a good weekend! Just get here already!

happy birthday to me...

So my birthday was definitely one I'll never forget!! That's really all I can say.

Saturday morning I woke up and went upstairs with my Mom and Megan. I opened all the presents that they got for me. Trav got me a Boston Celtic's jacket, which I love and can't wait to wear. Then my Mom and Meg got me clothes and shoes...Never have too many clothes and shoes. Anyway, so we went about the rest of the day. Got ready...lunch...then headed over to my Dad's so see the boys. They had cupcakes and a card for me- you better believe that they ate them for me too!!



Spent my day with family and friends. It was fun. And the rest is history! haha

here we go again.

Sometimes I can't wait to get out of this little town.
And those times are times like today.

I'm trying to sell my contract.
If anyone knows anyone that wants to come to Snow College the Spring Semester of 2010-2011...PLEASE contact me.

I guess it's safe to say...
I'm getting married...well one day!!!
I bought the dress and the whole thing is almost planned.
Now, I'm only waiting for Mr. Right to pop the question.

Katie and I now share a room and it's pretty sweet. We pushed our beds together and now have one LONG bed.

It's my birthday on Saturday.

It's snowing...gag. I hate the snow. It's awful.
I'm NOT ready for winter. Not one ounce.

cold weather? no thanks.

Late Nights + No Sleep + Early Mornings = One Sick Little Girl.
I wish I could get rid of this lovely head cold of mine. Soon enough.

School is flying by! I can't believe it's already mid-terms. I feel like I just moved out and it's already almost time to come home for Christmas Break. This little town has been pretty crazy the last few weeks. Lots of stress, drama and fun! Through it all, love the girls I live with and the friends we've made across the hall.

I love love LOVE Fall...but it only means WINTER IS COMING! And the weather just gets colder and colder. I'll pass, thanks!

I've decided that my hair is going to FALL OUT! All of it. Haha, I can't ever make up my mind with my hair color. Usually people go light for the summer and dark for the fall. Nope, not me. I went dark in July-got sick of it and went back blonde! It's pretty much a white blonde so it was sort of a drastic change! But I like it.

October has been a crazy month, I think I've been home from school every weekend. It's been nice though. I've really missed my family. It's funny, my roommates and I go home for the weekend and end up hanging out with each other at home too. I love it!

Loving life.

Everything is falling into place! I can't believe how perfect my life feels! I've never been so happy.

Friday, I stayed in Ephraim with the girls. Whitney's little sister was down spending the weekend with us. We went to eat at Katie's work. We wanted to show Whitney's sister a good time so we went and got Snow Creme's! Always SO good! We watched a movie. Like any other night we didn't go to bed until like 2 or 3.

Saturday, we got up and jumped in the car and headed home. We all went home to visit our families. I spent time with my Mom and my little sister. Megan is learning how to drive. She just got her permit and is getting behind the wheel. It's a tad bit frightening. My Mom and I took her driving in the church parking lot Saturday night and it was quite the experience! I thought I saw my life flash in front of my eyes! I really miss my family.

Sunday, I spent the morning watching conference. The morning session way so good. I loved all the talks that were given. They were great. After the first session we went to my Grandparents house. Tradition is that my Grandpa makes us all omelet and breakfast. We all eat, talk and have a good time. I spent some time with my family and watched the second session with them!!

I'm so happy. I love my friends and my family. I couldn't ask for anything more! My life is finally making sense :)

great week :)

This week has been pretty incredible. I never realized how much I really do need the Gospel in my life. These last few days I've found myself turning to the scriptures and praying to find many answers to questions. I've had a few heart to heart chats with some of my roommates and found myself asking the Lord to help me to understand more so I could help a little. My testimony has grown so much in a few short days. And I'm a little disappointed that it has taken me this long to really have a love for the Gospel.

I'm headed home tomorrow for the homecoming football game. I have an oppurtunity to cheer with Megan tomorrow night and I'm not really sure if I'm going to take it, but it would be really cool to have both of us out there. I'm a little excited to see my Mom! This weekend I'm going back home to watch general conference with my mom's family and I'm excited to see everyone. It's been awhile-haven't seen everyone since I left for school.
Life is good!

D1- too legit to quit

This past week has been crazy! School has been nuts! There is so much to do, in so little time! To counter act the stress of school, we pull pranks with the boys across the hall. This has been going on since the first week of school. It all started with the door bell ditching...it hasn't been bad yet. This week, we popcorned them. In the process our microwave over heated and our vaccuum and broom broke! It was such a mess.
We went on our first family trip this weekend and took our first "ephraim family photo". Quite cute if I do say so myself. We went up to my Grandpa's property and camped for the night. Had a fire, roasted hot dogs and had ice cream! It was so much fun, we're planning another trip. These girls seriously are thee best friends anyone could ask for. They're always there when you need them! And we always have a good time! Car rides with music blasting, loooooonnnnnggg nights and early mornings...college wouldn't be the same without these girls. (Lexi is now part of the D1 ladies...she practically lives here)

what a weekend!

So, I ventured home this weekend! And as much as I hate to say this, I dreaded going home. I had a test to take over the weekend and had so much homework to do and I knew I wasn't going to get it done at home. And boy was I right! But, this weekend was a great one.

Friday, Katie and I decided to hang out. We were going to go to a fire with some random people, then bowling. But we decided that since we were the only people NOT on a date we'd leave. So missing Ephraim we only did what we do best in Ephraim. Go to Wal-Mart. We found some movies and went back to Katie's to watch em. With Ephraim on our mind, we were driving up 12300 South when only to see a bull walking across the street! I couldn't believe it! We both laughed and thought only such things could happen in Sanpete County. WRONG.

Saturday was great! Hung out and talked to my mom for hours. Went shopping. Hung out with Chelsie and talked to HoJo. How I miss my old friends!!! There were some very interesting conversations and I learned so much this weekend.

Sunday was eventful. I won't say what I did because it's not on paper yet. But, it was great. Hurrying back to Ephraim as fast as we could to get my test taken, only to fail it was lovely! Nice girl chat on the ride back with Katie and Lexi! I love you girls! Thanks for listening and being excited for me!

I now need to finish all my homework that wasn't done this weekend. Just difficult when 800 other better things are on my mind ;)

just another one of those days.

This morning I woke up to thee sweetest text ever. I then continued with the whole morning routine thing and hit road off to math (luckily my 8:30 class was canceled today!). Soon, I found out we were taking a quiz...but not just any quiz, an attendance quiz, and soon after the quiz was over, we were dismissed from class. With only 10 minutes of class time I ventured back to the apartment and studied for my math test. Now, that I've taken my test and have nothing else to do, I'm laying on my bed while everyone else that I live with is in class. Guys, come home. I'm bored...and all alone.

Today is just one of those days. Like in 500 Days of Summer...I'm so sick of seeing cute couples holding hands and laughing around campus. GET A ROOM! Ha, no it's not quite that bad. But you know what I mean...I don't know how much longer I can stay in the little town, so close to all these memories. I need something to do I think.

Yesterday Boone took me fishing to get my mind off of things...I haven't been fishing in so long. We weren't even there 10 minutes when I had my pole in the water reeling them in like no other! I had 7 caught and back in the water by the time the 3 old men a few feet down from us had 2! It was a good time. It brought back some memories of when my dad used to take me fishing when I was little. If there was a body of water, we had a pole in it. Made me miss my old man a little. I think I'll give him a call :)

[forever and almost always]

here we go. a new start.
everything is going to go my way now.
nothing is going to bring me down.







katie, mars, lex, jess, whit, ash-
thanks girls for being there for me tonight! means a lot to me. i don't know what i'd do without you girls!! love you all.

thank you,

Thank you, for letting me realize who I am. Thank you, for making me realize that I'm worth it. Thank you, for not giving up on me. Thank you, for understanding. And most of all, thank you for loving me.

--You were unmistakeably my first love and I will never forget that. Even though we've both grown apart, both changed, a piece of you will always remain with me. You will always be a part of me because you unknowingly showed me what I deserve and every guy I'm with for the rest of my life will be compared to you--


This past week was definitely a crazy one! Ups and downs. A lot of tears were shed in D1... I think being away for this long has taken a toll on my mother. She misses me just a little too much sometimes. But I love that lady and I wouldn't be the same without her. I'm so thankful that she is in my life. She's the cutest Mother in thee whole world. My very best friend. Taught me everything I know. But, I don't think I could have gotten through this week without my roommates! I love these girls.

This weekend was a fun one. Friday night we all piled in my car and drove to Wal-Mart, bought stuff for s'mores, danced in the parking lot and headed out West for some fun! We attempted to start a fire so we could roast some marshmellows. Little did we know, you can't really start a fire without wood...we had some gas and newspaper--but that doesn't go very far. Anyway, after searching for twigs, we decided maybe sage brush was the way to go. and let me tell you, SAGE BRUSH STINKS!!! Saturday night I made dinner...not too bad for my first time cooking anything that wasn't out of a box :) Then Jessica, Katie and I went up and climbed the Ephraim City water tower with some friends. It was a good time, SO pretty. The stars in Ephraim are incredible. I've missed quite alot of things growing up in the city.

I feel like these next few weeks will again be rough. There are a few decisions headed my way...and I know that I need to make the right ones. Even if it does kill me. But, I have amazing people so close and so far that will be there to help me through it all. And I'll be okay :)

I'm going to be chessey for a second. But I'd like to thank all those out serving our Country! There is no way that I could do what they do. Leaving their families. Giving up a lot of things for this Country. I have so many friends that have given their time and put so much effort into keeping our Country safe and free. I really appriecate it. Thank you again. Especially Central, RJ and Hojo. You are the greatest! Hang in there :) And PLEASE COME HOME SOON!

time for some homework. ♥

megan.

i miss my sister.

mac & cheese.

**As I sit here at our kitchen table eating spongebob mac & cheese, I realized my day pretty much was crappy. So, as Jessica and Ashley continued to sit Ashley showed me and Jessica this video and it made me smile!! And decided that I'll try to be a little bit more positive about everything from now on.

-After I finished my homework tonight, I got in the car and drove to Manti. I sat in my favorite spot in town and read my scriptures...totally not my thing but I did it. And I'm a little proud of myself. I never realized how pretty the Manti Temple is. This little town has been my home away from home for the last 3 summers. Manti is a cute town and I've made A LOT of memories there, hopefully to only make more.

This one goes out to JESS. For when you need a butt tingling moment! SMILE :D life isn't so bad...especially due to the fact that you are MY ROOMMATE and that's about the sweetest thing known to man. Humor me!!

-A smile confuses an approaching frown.

-Start every day with a smile and get it over with.

-A smile is an inexpensive way to change your looks.

and last but not least

-Always remember to be happy because you never know who's falling in love with your smile.

I bet you that spiderman smiles under that mask of his ;)

I miss my family. That's all folks.

home, for the weekend.

3 weeks down. I love college. Well, maybe not so much the school work but... I guess what you'd call the "home life". My roommates are sweet, we've been having so much fun. Our apartment is so cute! And I feel as though some of these girls will become life-long friends. So far, we haven't had any problems...so lets hope that it stays that way. I'm learning so much. I'm learning people really aren't all what they seem-they tend to put on a show. I've learned a lot about myself too in the last few weeks...it's time to change my own life and not 'put on a show'.

Home, never felt so weird. I came home during the week and it didn't feel like I really even lived there anymore. I have missed my Mom and little sister so much. It's good to be away and on my own, but coming back feels good too. It's good to hear my Mom say, "I'm glad you're home Jade." And even though I can't stand it, it's good that Meg is around beatin' up on the big sister like usual. My Mom usually sends me a good-night text everynight and it's weird not hearing her just say it. Or tell me she doesn't have time to talk to me all night like she normally would. I guess the most weird thing is, not seeing her everyday.... The only people I haven't seen yet are my Dad and baby brothers. I do need to get over there and see them.
--Before I left for school, I asked my Dad for a Father's Blessing (something I've never receieved-from my own Dad anyway, and something he had never done.) It was a really a great experience for the both of us. I got to see how much my Dad really does love me. Something I've always struggled to know. He's called a few times since I've been at school just to check in on me and see how I'm doing. It's nice to know that I'm on his mind.

I love it in Ephraim. It's been quite an adventure. I can't wait to see what happens next... :)

hello ephraim, utah

college. wow. i never thought in a million years this day would actually come. i still feel like a little kid. i'm moved in and all set. i've got myself 5 other room-mates. so far so good. my actual room-mate is actually quite cool. so we'll get along quite nicely. however, it was a little difficult for me to say good-bye to my mom and megan. i definitely will miss those two. they've been my best friends for thee longest time. crazy thing is, my mom didn't even really cry.

i can't wait to meet new people and make new friends. it will be an adventure. one day down, 4 months to go. i can do it :)

best friends forever.

Well, here's the thing. My family is just amazing. I love them so very much. There's a tradition: when a grandchild in the family goes away to school for the first time, we have a little get together, sort of like a shower. Food, laughs, gifts...the works. Well; tonight was my shower. I got just about everything I'll need for my little apartment in Ephraim, Utah. However, thee absolute best thing I received tonight was a gift from my baby sister :) She made me a quilt and wrote me a very cute poem to go along with it.

Best Friends Forever

This blanket that you see,
It was made for you.
My somewhat big sister,
Leaving for somewhere new.

When Mom and I-
Just aren't around,
And you pick up your phone
And no service is found-

Let this blanket help you
Like we would do.
Cause we're all in this together.
All. The. Way. Through.

It's going to be all right,
No matter what.
Although it may be hard,
My little sis is tough.

College will be fun,
But please remember,
Always get your essays done,
By late September.

Not too many parties,
Or stupid things.
And always answer your telly
When it rings.

Believe that you will make it,
I'm positive you will.
You're too amazing to give up.
Go in for the kill.

On the outside- badger?
That i won't admire,
Remember who you are inside,
A West Jordan Jaguar!

So though your sis
Is cheering up a storm
She carries you all day,
All night and in the mourn.

How can this be? you ask
When she looks in the mirror
She sees jade inside of her
Then she starts to tear

My little sister's all grown up
She's packed and moved away.
But it's okay
Cause little jade is here to save the day
I'm following your footsteps
And I'm not close behind
So as each day goes on
Keep your baby sis in mind

But don't forget our mommy
Our best friend loves you
Although you're far away
I'm sure you love us too.

So here's a pick me up
A phat phoebe if you will.
To the people in the past,
And the people that are still.

Here's a tight bear hug,
For when you need one.
I may be far away,
But two hours isn't a ton.

I hope you like this quilt.
It was made just for you
And i regret to say this,
My best friend is going somewhere new...

Love, Megan Olivia.

New..

Anyone that's anyone has a blog now days. So, I thought I'd make one too, just to be cool.

I leave for College in 2 weeks! It seems a little strange to be honest. It will be an adventure to see where my life takes me in the next few months. I'm excited to get out, meet new people and make big decisions :) I am on my way to Snow College. It will be a good experience and nice to finally be 10 minutes away from my best friend again. I'm going to miss my family something fierce.

Wish me luck :)