Saturday, September 15, 2012

EviDance

This past week was our EVIDANCE show at BYU! It was so rewarding to be a part of this show, on and off stage. We had fabulous support every night in the audience and it was always so fun after the show to go visit the audience members and discover all our friends out there! It was even more fun sweating and working together as not only our dance ensemble, but with all the other dance ensembles as well. Our show not only included our folk dance ensemble, but theatre ballet, contemporary dance theatre, living legends and ballroom. We really are blessed to be at such a unique university and get to participate in the incredible programs that we do. Tonight, closing night, the living legends team gave us a beautiful devotional and sang for us. Words can't express the chills we all felt and the tears that came to our eyes as they sang with such a wonderful spirit. This week I had a lot of moments where I teared up as I listened to the devotionals given, the prayers offered, and the supportive cheering and comments given to us throughout our hectic week. I am so blessed to be here at this university and to be blessed to be part of such a wonderful and life changing program.






Friday, September 14, 2012

Meet the Burtons!

If you've never met Amber Moon and got the opportunity to spend a few minutes with her, you really are missing out. Amber is one of the few people who has such an uplifting influence on me and every time I'm with her, I walk away feeling so enlightened and important. She truly is the most perfect girl I've ever met in my life and I look up to her so much. Amber not only inspires me, but keeps me motivated to be a better person. Today was Amber's wedding to Sam Burton in the Salt Lake Temple! Though I haven't spent much time around Sam, Amber has always spoken so highly of him and every time I see them together, there is no question that they are a perfect couple. Two of the most perfect people got married on such a perfect day in a perfect place! It was my first real temple sealing I've been able to attend (besides my own) and ... not to anyone's surprise ... I bawled the whole time like a baby. Here are some pictures we snapped on my camera while spending the whole day in Salt Lake. It was so much fun to be a bridesmaid and most importantly get to share Amber and Sam's beautiful day together!

waiting for the bride and groom to come out...
Sister's hugging! So precious!
She is just so beautiful!
All our feet were obviously a little tired...


Us striking a Ukrainian pose...once a folk dancer, always a folk dancer?
They're both just so gorgeous!
Here's our attempt at a vogue shot...
This would be a cute picture if it wasn't for my awkward legs...
Oh the fun we had....
Here's Amber's adorable baby sister who is 2 years old....she just is the cutest ever!
Brandi trying to get Aspen to smile...they're both so cute!
We pretty much had the best luncheon table ever!
We were rockin' our aprons to protect all our nice clothes!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Complementary Halves

Lately in my American Heritage class we have been studying and discussing the romance stories and cute letters that the were written between the Founding Fathers and their sweethearts. It intrigues me to see these men, who we think of as strong and brave and somewhat solemn, courting their sweethearts and being really coy and cute to them. While doing the reading this week, I started thinking how wonderful these women were and how they don't usually receive much credit for the cheerleaders and supporters they were. In a letter written by John Adams to his fiance he said something that really stood out to me. He wrote and told her that she, and only she, would form him into the man he had always wanted to be. I have been really impressed as I've thought about the powerful and influential women behind our Founding Fathers. Those women must have had so much faith and trust in their husbands and probably spent a lot of time on their knees praying for them.

Being married has really taught me a lot of about working as a pair and always being there for each other. So many of my friends have graduated and are now cheering their husbands on in medical schools. I think we often forget that behind every good man, is a greater woman. I'm so proud of all the women in my life who have been such strong examples of courage and support to me.

Benjamin Franklin once said that, "A man without a wife is like half a half pair of scissors." I think this works the other way around too. The past two weeks have been really hectic for me and I've embarrassed to admit I've been neglecting my house and husband. Exams, homework, and our dance show this week have really kept me busy. Eric has been so sweet in helping reduce my stress load by making me dinner the past few nights, going grocery shopping, driving me to school (so I can have even 10 extra minutes to study), picking me up from late night rehearsals, giving me foot rubs while I study all night, and even helping me with homework. Marriage truly is a wonderful and amazing as I've seen us both growing and sacrificing to help each other. Eric, you truly are my complementary half.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Onward Ever Onward!

Here is the blog post we all knew was coming. A few days ago I said goodbye to one of my favorite people in the whole world for TWO WHOLE YEARS. We waited all Summer for September 5th to roll around, but all the sudden it came too fast. I got to spend a few days with him and my family before the much anticipated day arrived. I couldn't peel myself from his side and hated the thought that I wouldn't be seeing him for two years. I still hate it.

I've been doing so much reflecting on what an incredible brother I have. I won't bore you with the details, because if you've met him, you know what I'm talking about. We've been partners in crime and best buds for the past 19 years, and yet, I've never been with him when he didn't continually impress me. He never ceases to go the extra mile, to reach out to people - regardless of their appearance and circumstance, and he has a gift for being sensitive to others and their needs. I have spent the past 19 years learning and growing from him, trying to be better and more like him. I'm so proud of my little brother and am anxiously awaiting a letter to hear what he thinks of the MTC! Also, I can't describe the amazing feeling of peace that has come over me and my family since saying goodbye to Garrett. Blessings truly come to families of missionaries. Not only have I been at peace, but a lot of small, long awaited, miracles have been happening almost constantly today. My testimony of missionaries has already been strengthened and I cannot wait to see what the future brings!

Here's how we spent our last few days together:



Catching up and saying goodbye to all our incredible friends from our dance team!
Garrett and my mom really wanted to hike Y mountain for the first time! Did you know the Y is  the largest college symbol in the U.S.? True story.
Yes, he was doing crunches while laying upside down on the Y...
We got up at with our early rising missionary to hike the Y! Even Uncle Hyrum was able to join us!
The beautiful mountains and trees are already starting to look like Fall!
Garrett ran into a lot of dance friends we didn't get to see Monday night!
The night before the MTC he had to get his chocolate milk and krispy kreme donuts!
Thank you to all of our wonderful friends who have helped Garrett with getting this far and gave him advice and encouraging words his last few days before the MTC!
A few hours before the MTC we ran a few errands with Garrett. It was wierd because EVERYWHERE (even Walmart) we went he ran into friends, many of whom were also entering the MTC September 5th!
We'll see how long it takes Garrett to figure out how to roll his rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr's.....
Oh Levi...why is it so difficult to just get a good family snapshot? 
Our last big sibling hug before we headed to the MTC!
Saying goodbye to Uncle Larry who came down to see Garrett before he left!
Saying goodbye to the person he always tells is his "#1 woman!"
My dad was so happy and excited the day we dropped Garrett off, but it was neat to see him tear up and cry a little on the drive out of the MTC. We're all so proud of you Elder Jacobson!
I sure am going to miss this great guy!