It's that time of year again

Time to lament the shedding of an age that I can never return to. :)
Hello eighteen! Can I believe that you're coming?
I feel ancient; like a withering branch with a wrinkly forehead and decrepit knees.

Honestly I'm getting pretty sentimental about leaving seventeen behind. As I look back on this year, I am so grateful for all of the wonderful things that happened.

-Dorothy
-Homecoming with Ethan
-Being a part of Madrigals
-Meeting and falling in love with the cream of the crop at CHS
-Sweethearts
-Bus trips
-Harvey
-Grads
-Grad Night
-Family Conference in Oregon
-Talks with mom
-Girl's nights with Murph, Jago, and Slim
-Harry Potter 7 part 2 and the celebrations associated with it
-My BBT
-Skylar's letters from his mish
-Tikla and Austin's boat trip visit
-A Mike-filled summer

Mike is the most amazing living being. I’m so grateful for his influence in my life and the experiences he’s had that have brought him to me. My heart is full. I can hardly construct sentences to express myself. The feeling I have when I'm around Mike encompasses the spiritual and the romantic. How can so much wisdom and light exist in one man? I want so much to be as good as I can possibly be. Maybe then I can deserve the arms of Michael John Snow. His testimony strengthens mine every time we talk. He is as good as it gets.

As we sat the other day at Costa Vida, talking, he started laughing out loud, harder than should be humanly possible, ;) I recorded the sound in my mind. I wanted to cry, remembering that he'll be gone soon. But at the same time, I'm eager for him to go because I'm excited for all the experiences he'll have! Besides, I know that even if we don't end up together, he, along with his laugh, will have been a part of my life. :)

"You know, we're not married..."

"We're NOT?!?"

So, I guess, Happy almost Birthday to me. :)
A celebration of an age reached and for once in my life, I feel it. Inside and out.

Name them one by one. =)

I got 16/20 on my first Chemistry quiz because I got too cocky.
Let this be a lesson to me! :) Next time, I'll spend more time and focus on the problems. Hopefully I can be more organized, generally.
Yay for running into Hyrum on campus! :)
Yay for running into Mike and Bentley at the play with Murph yesterday!
Creative Writing tonight!
Possibly the play again tonight!
My yucky Honey Bunches of Oats feeling in my stomach is gone!
Yay for good friends and music!
Yay for seeing Tikla, Austin, and blueberry this weekend!
Skylar's sweet email to me!
The video that Elisa posted on Facebook!
The feeling in the institute building!
The guy passing out candy in the Student Center!
Seeing Uncle JJ and getting into my UNIV 1000 textbook!
Brownies!
Self-confidence!
Mike's smile and affection!
My wonderful family and the good choices they're making!
Dad's job!
I don't have an ear ache!
Yay for the SUU campus!
Converstations with mom!
The inspiration for my book in the form of chapter ideas!
Manageable classes and a desire to learn!

A deep love for the gospel. :)

Merry Christmas, Owen

Sometimes I wonder what the juice box is going on.

There's a seat here for you, if you want. =)

It's been a jelly-filled year. Sticky and sweet.
And before I know it, I'll have eaten the last bite and licked my fingers clean.
Where did it go? I couldn't have really eaten all of that already.
The future is a blurry windshield and dull headlights. I strain my eyes but all I see is a few inches in front of me. I trust. I learn. Buy another color of nail polish. Pay another fee. Apply for another scholarship. Mend another friendship. Sing a new song. I pray.

All those years of begging to be older have finally paid off. Right when I don't want to get any older. Oh the irony. :)

Harry Potter Wedding.

If that doesn't sound like a party, then you don't know what you're talking about.

That is party.
Danny and Ethan both agree to marry me under those circumstances. Brad is still thinking about it. You're all invited. I am a little bit obsessed with this idea. :D

I wonder if no one notices

when I go to my locker, pull out a notebook, wait around a while and eventually put it back in?
I almost hope that someone does, because I'll bet it's pretty ridiculous to observe. Almost as absurd as you trying to not look like you're waiting in the crowded hallway. Turned around, hesitant at first, your words rinsed, chopped, and tossed together. There is no superficial, at least, none that's working. I see you, you see me. We're on the same page. We don't want sunsets or romance or exclusivity. You keep your left socks separate from your right ones; you never pair off. Brilliant. There's nothing striking in your eyes, and there are no sparks from your hands which have rarely touched mine. What is striking is the conversation we create while everyone around is listening in the hall where I pretend to need a notebook.

turquoise striped throne

Haha. :)
I win.