And I'm Out.

Alrighty, blog I'm out of here. Keep track of me with my new mission blog-- theycallmesisterbarton.blogspot.com :) I love you all. Thank you for all of the love and support.

Adventure is out there!

Skydiving has always been one of those things that I would write down on my bucket list without believing it would ever happen. Yesterday Kira and I got to cross skydiving off the list. Falling from the sky was a feeling that is unlike any other. I still can't believe I jumped out of a plane going 100 miles an hour above the clouds. It is an incredible memory that I will never forget. It reminded me of a quote that I heard at a camp that I volunteer at every summer.

"You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. (Yes, I really did just quote Winnie the Pooh)

If I can be brave enough to free fall from thousands of feet, I can do a lot more than I think I can. My bucket list is no longer a wish list. Everything on there is going to happen. I am capable of whatever I set my mind to.

An Artsy Fartsy Friday Night

My Friday night turned out to be way better than expected thanks to my awesome brother! I was laying on my kitchen floor complaining about how I just wanted to do something fun but all that my dad wanted to do was go see a movie. Here is my problem with movies- I fall asleep! If you take me to a movie, there is a 99.9% chance that I will fall asleep. So why pay 8 bucks for a nap? Get my logic?

Ryan got sick of my complaints and boredom so he took me to Target. We walked around Target for about an hour checking out the men's socks (I need to find Ryan some pizza socks before I leave for Tucson), the kids toys, and the crafts. I was actually having a nice time just chatting and goofing around with my big brother. Ryan found the paint sets and decided we were going to paint. I reluctantly helped choose which paint set to buy thinking he was sort of kidding. He wasn't. We bought a paint set and headed home. Half way home we stopped at Dan's grocery store for a quick donut then got down to business.

 

We painted until about midnight. Who knew bringing out our inner children could be so much fun! Ryan's work is a lot more original than mine. I loved spending some quality time with my big brother. It's was fun to give him girl advice and just chill. This night was for sure a quality one. Thanks Rybart!

 

I've gone to New York with Sarah, Painting with Ryan, and Swig with Megan even though I didn't get any pictures. Who's next before Tucson? (mom our 1 on 1 shopping trips don't count we need a real adventure)

The Boys

Two boys have tried really hard to stop me from going on a mission. Both of them make frequent visits to my house and wait until I arrive. As soon as I walk inside they make themselves known and yell things like- "Hey Girlfriend!" or "My girlfriend is finally home". Ten seconds later I am usually attacked with cuddles and kisses. It's a rough life. Their names are Graham (3years old) and Sawyer (5 years old).

Today I told both of them that they are ridiculous. Sawyer snapped back and said, "I'm not ridiculous and you're not ridiculous, we are ridiculous together. That's what happens when you're in love." Oh boy! what are I going to do with that boy.

N.Y.C.

This past week my awesome Dad let Sarah and I tag along on a work trip. Mark worked all day while Sarah and I got to explore the beautiful city of New York! Since this was a work trip my dad had to get a bit of an early start every morning. Every morning we were up at about 6:15 and out the door by 7:00. We only had three days in the city so I guess it was a good thing that no time was wasted sleeping in. We spent the majority of the time shopping and tour busing. One of my very favorite parts was walking the Brooklyn bridge. That bridge is just awesome. Along the bridge there are people selling drawings. It's fun to look at all the art work and then look over the bridge to see the busy city. New York is one of the most lively places I have ever been to. There are people from all over the world, all going in different directions. I love how diverse it is.

The first day was our dedicated shopping day. Manhatten is full of shopping. Most of the time I stuck to window shopping. It was fun to go into the stores that are above and beyond my budget just to look. We took the phrase "shop 'til you drop" to a whole new level. After walking up and down the cities street all day we were exhausted by 6:00!

The second day was a little bit of a struggle. Our lack of planning ended up costing us a lot of time and sending us in a few circles. I was disappointed when we didn't have time to go to the 9/11 memorial. We explored a bit of the tour bus and finally went to time square. The environment of time square is pretty crazy. That night we got to go see Wicked! Okay. I've seen Wicked before but there is nothing like Broadway! I LOVED IT!

We started off the third and final day of the trip with Grand Central Station. WOW. That is one impressive building. Next we headed to the bus stop to go on a bike ride through Central Park (number seven on my current bucket list). Due to rain and wind, Sarah and I hid under ponchos on the double decker bus instead. My ride through Central Park didn't happen but it sure was funny watching us two soaking girls try to keep somewhat warm and dry. Our day ended with another cute café and one last subway ride to meet up with Dad. Both Sarah and I slept the entire plane ride home. New York really did a good job in tiring us out.

This trip was amazing. My only regret of the trip was seriously sucking at taking pictures. I'm still in shock that we didn't get lost at least once. I loved spending this trip with one of my very best friends. We are always both so busy so running off to New York with my big sister was a huge blessing. Thank you, Sarah! Spending this week with you was the greatest! I love you to pieces.

I have a month and one week until I am off to serve the people of Tuscon, Arizona. I'm just so excited to figure out why the Lord is sending me on the errand. It wasn't me decision to go on a mission. To be honest, I'm terrified. Sometimes I think about how it would be so much easier to just stay home and finish my schooling. That's not the Lords plan for me though. I'm supposed to go to Tuscon. There is something there waiting for me to poke my head in.
 

Temporary Home

This was my temporary home. It's not where I belong. Windows and rooms that I passed through. This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going. I'm not afraid because I know- This is my temporary home.

 

This stupid song won't stop playing in my head and haunting my dreams. Carrie Underwood nailed it. My freshman year of college is officially over. My dorm walls are bare. There is nothing left in the closets and drawers. I couldn't be more grateful for this past year. My heart is so full of love for the people I have met and the lessons I have learned. I know I already wrote the sad speech but I needed one more. Crap. This goodbye thing is too hard.

 

Sorry for the picture overload but I couldn't delete any more. We all took a study break for a final freshman photo shoot. I'm obsessed. There were over 500 pictures taken sooooooo you have no idea how hard it was to chop that down.

 

 

On Sunday, we put together a time capsule that we are planning on opening in two years. Everyone put a little something something in there. I can't wait to see whose predictions for the future is the closest. Our adventures will never be forgotten!

 

This described me and my roommates perfectly. Half the time I feel like they are two steps ahead of me. I try my best to keep up. They are so fun and energetic. I'm for sure always on my toes when these ladies are around. I really got lucky with rooming with some incredible girls.

These girls live across the hall from me. This picture represents everyone's spot in the family. Amanda- aunt. Nicole- oldest sister. Me-Baby. Megan F.-Mommy. Megan M.-Daddy. Kalli- Middle Child. Lindsie-Family pet. It's been so fun.

We call this the "panda". Not a day goes by that one of us hasn't jumped on each other screaming PANDA! I'm getting pretty good at catching Megan at any given second.

 



Kalli. This girl. WOW. This girl is fabulous. I can't wait to make memories with her before I leave and as soon as I get home. She understands me in so many ways that most people don't. We are so much alike! I love this girl.

 

Amanda is my country dancing lady. You can expect to see us at the Fun Park getting our country swing on every Monday and Wednesday night. She will be leaving on a mission at the end of the summer. I couldn't be more excited for her.

Nicole is one of the pageant girls. She was trying to teach me her ways but I ended up looking like a creep instead. She clearly has a lot more to teach me. Nicole is one of a kind.

Mama Megan. Her constant support and words of encouragement got me through everything. I loved pulling all nighters with her once a week in order to start and finish out US Institutions papers, socializing, writing letters, and talking.

GOODBYE LOGAN! IT'S BEEN REAL. I'LL BE BACK IN 20 MONTHS FOR SOME MORE ACTION. BUT FOR NOW....I'M ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS. :)