That wasn't supposed to happen so fast......

This school year is coming to an end and it's bringing on a million different emotions. Finals are right around the corner and I've reluctantly started packing my bags little by little. I have so many amazing memories from this school year that I will always cling to. This year has taught me a lot about myself. I've learned a lot about what I want for myself and what's really important. I've learned that situations can be good or bad depending on if you put a smile or a frown on. I've learned how important it is to just be good to people. I've learned how big of an impact one person can make on a persons life. I've learned how much I need my parents. Somewhere along the way I guess I learned how to use google and write an essay the night before it's due.....

The people that I've met at Utah State have become some of the greatest friends I've ever had. I don't know how I'm supposed to move away without taking them with me. My girls are constantly reminding me how luck I am and how loved I am. Thank you Utah State. My freshman year has been real! Hopefully my finals don't send me to the cemetery across the street before it's over.

These pictures aren't very organized but they are some favorites from my adventures of being a freshman.

 

 

 

The Long Way Home

Taking the long way home is not always a bad thing. Kalli and I managed to turn the hour and a half trip from school to home into an eight hour adventure. The journey started at 6 am with the Logan temple. Man, this temple has been a huge blessing this school year.

Next we went to the Brigham city temple. I had never been there before but it was absolutely beautiful!

 

Number three was the Bountiful temple. OH MY GOSH. This temple took my breath away....literally. ;) (if you don't get it don't worry about it)

 

 

By ten o'clock we were at the Salt Lake City temple and ready to do some more baptisms. Kalli had never been inside this beautiful castle so it couldn't be passed up.

 

  

Jordan River was number 5. It was stunning. This temple was by far the least crowded. It made me a little sad to see how little work was being done on that Saturday afternoon. This is the temple I used to go to once a week in High School.

 

 

 

After a ten minute drive, Kalli and I found ourselves at the Oquirrh Mountain temple. This was a first time for both of us and we were very impressed. The Oquirrh Mountain temple was dedicated in 2009. As soon as you walk inside you can tell how new and special it is.

 

 

Last but not least, was the Draper temple. By temple number 7 Kalli and I were pro's at getting ready at the exact same time. We couldn't help but laugh when we walked in and out of the dressing rooms at the exact same time.

 

 

I loved taking the long way home. 8 hours. 7 temples. 70 baptisms. Each temple is special in it's own way yet the spirit is the same in every one. I'm grateful for temples and the peace they give me.

The Sun has Arrived

The sun is out and everyone in Logan has begun to come out from hiding. It makes me so happy so feel the sun on my face. In celebration of fantastic weather, we had a fancy Friday. My friends have recently discovered how I own a ton of clothing and have no clue how to wear 2/3 of it. They spent hours inspiring me to be fashionable. We wore some of the favorite outfits and had a nice photo shoot after class.

 

 

These pictures pretty much define our personalities and relationship. Megan is the caring Mama, while Kalli is super sassy yet smart teenager and I'm just the crazy needy baby that keeps them moving. We are always helping each other out and making each other laugh. I absolutely adore these lovely ladies.

Addicted

I can't handle it. I can't stay home on a Monday or Wednesday night. Homework will not get done from 9:00 pm -1:00 am. I've accepted the fact that I cannot resist eloping to the fun park twice a week for some quality country dancing. It's become a fantastic problem. During my senior year of high school I used to go with some friends every once in a while but now it's just too easy to go. It doesn't help that I don't have class on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 1:30 in the afternoon. All the more reason so stay out later.
I love everything about country dancing. The people, the atmosphere, THE LIFTS, the music. I used to be afraid of lifts but now I look for people who can teach me a new one. Every time that I get on the dance floor I get a fresh new batch of friends. It's fun to run into people on campus that I know from country dancing.
Last night was probably the best night of country dancing I've ever been to. All of my dance partners were so fun and it just felt good. Going ice skating up in Logan has proven to be unsuccessful 100% of the time so I guess country dancing is the closest replacement I have come up with. I am absolutely addicted to country dancing. One of these days I'll get pictures or a video of a few of my sweet moves!

Serious Business

Things got a bit more serious than normal in Apartment 402. After making brownies, Kalli and I decided that it was time to create a contract deciding what must and must not happen in the course of our lives while we are separated. Yes, I am going to miss this life to death while I'm serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, but this contract is going to make everything just a little bit easier. We went a little bit above and beyond by pricking out fingers and lathering ourselves with lipstick.....Go big or go home, right?

I, Kalli Elmer do hear-by swear on the sacred bonds of sisterhood and Beyoncé’s visually appealing face that I.....

 1.      Will be present at the airport when Carly returns to Salt Lake City, Utah.

2.      Will be single with no children or husband to call my own

3.      Will diet and exercise with her to remove post mission weight (insanity for days)

4.      Will remove all sugar from Carly’s presence

5.      Will room with Carly and Megan of Spring 2014

6.      Will equally divide time between Carly, Megan and Tyler ( mostly Carly)

7.      Will find Carly an attractive Male

8.      Will write a minimum of 1 letter/email a week

9.      Will send a drawing with every postal letter

10.  Will send a snap chat and a wholesome picture of Beyoncé with every email.

11.  Will attend 1 family Skype session either mother’s day or Christmas

12.  Will send one package every 6 months

13.  Will force Megan Meyer to write Carly at least 2 letters/emails during her mission

14.  Will keep Carly as my best friend

15.  Will send a certain gift when I am kissed

16.  Will keep Carly updated on Aggie Sports

17.  Will not be an Ultimate Aggie without Carly

18.  Will guide Carly in social cue’s and behaviors upon return

19. Will keep a list of all music and movies that must be experienced.

 

I, Carly Barton do hear-by swear on the sacred bonds of sisterhood and Beyoncé’s visually appealing face that I.....

1.      Will write Kalli at least once a week

2.      Will accompany every email with a selfie

3.      Will write a physical letter every fast Sunday

4.      Will send cool Indian jewelry and a cactus to Kalli on occasion

5.      Will live with Kalli when I return to Utah State University

6.      Will call Kalli when I am at the airport

7.      Will practice ASL with Kalli when I return

8.      Will not forget Kalli and keep her as my best friend

9.      Will find Kalli an attractive boy if one is not present

10.  Will Panda Kalli upon first sight-no matter state of dress

11.  Will share secrets of missionary life

 

If any of these terms are broken, the consequences are as listed

 

If Kalli breaks any of these terms

•   Carly can bite me

•   I give Carly a 20 min massage

 

If Carly breaks any of these terms

•   Kalli can touch Carly’s foot for 5 min

•   Must play with Kalli’s hair for 20 min

 

Whoever breaks terms first or most severely will have to take the other on a fun date.

 

 

------------------------------

Witness

Print Name                                  Sign Name                                      Date 

-------------------------------           ----------------------------------          -----------------------

Print Name                                  Sign Name                                      Date

 

 

 

Blood and Kiss Mark of Carly Barton

 

 

 

Blood and Kiss Mark of Kalli Elmer

There are 5 copies. 1 for Kalli. 1 for the freshman time capsule. 3 for me because I tend to lose things.

Shout out to Megan Meyer for being a fantastic witness and for threatening me enough to get me to prick my finger. I'm still not sure which one was more horrifying- Megan Meyer or the safety pin.

 

Baby Animal Days!

I feel like I've been a bit spoiled this whole week. Every day has just made this week better and better. After a rough weekend I received a surprise visit from my awesome dad and two of my sisters. I'm not even ashamed to admit that I started crying as soon as I found out they were in Logan. That visit was just the beginning. Somehow this week has actually been an amazing one full of countless kind words and acts service from strangers, loving texts from family and friends, and way too much sugar. Today was the cherry on the cake!

It's BABY ANIMAL DAYS! My friends got me out of class a little bit early to head to the farm! My day was full of playing with baby goats, baby bears, baby turtles, baby lambs, baby cows, baby horses, baby ducks, baby chicks, a train ride, and a trip to the Crepery. It was a perfect day full of laughs and pictures. I loved every second with these cute girls.

An ahhh haaa moment.

I am a firm believer that my most brilliant of thoughts come to me when I'm in the shower. Weird right? Yeah. Maybe I should start showering more often. Well today I was half way through washing my hair when a thought popped right into my mind. But first some background knowledge.....

Over the past couple of months I have been dating a great guy who seems like he has it all. He's really happy, successful, popular, smart, talented, and religious. He is Christian but not LDS. Over the span of our relationship religion has often been brought up. I always found myself getting frustrated when I can't deny that the teachings of his church are legit. Not being able to deny what Tim was arguing made me question my church. He believes in so many things that I believe to be true? So what's up with the Mormons?

In the shower today I was thinking about how so many people are able to so easily bash on the Mormon church. We are different. I got that. Why do other religions seem to be truthful? Wait a second. That's because it is real. I believe in the Mormon church. I believe that it is the one and only COMPLETE church on the earth today. Tim's religion is true. They believe in the bible, in charity, in loving God, in prayer, in the atonement, in the resurrection, in an afterlife. They understand so many truths that I have no problem agreeing with. They just don't have EVERYTHING that God has put on this earth for us. They are only seeing one part of the big picture.

This brought me back to two years ago when I went on a sisters trip to Disneyland. I specifically remember one moment of that trip. We were all standing in line for "Soring over California" when a preacher came up to us and said she was prompted to talk to us. When she found out we were Mormons she started telling us all about God and reading the bible to us. My oldest sister Heather tried explaining to her that we believe everything that she was saying. She didn't listen. I somehow got the courage to stop her mid-sentence and bare my testimony. I remember looking at the shock on my sisters faces. Right there in the middle of California adventures I couldn't stop myself from baring my testimony. It probably meant nothing to that lady but it has stuck with me.

People don't understand Mormons. They don't understand that we have the complete gospel. My testimony was shaken because Tim's religion is sooo real. It has sooo many truths. It just doesn't have all the truths. Dare to be a Mormon! Dare to stand up for what you know to be true. I don't know why I'm sharing this but it sure does feel good to spill.