Grandpas

As a little girl...I'd always sit up on my grandpas lap. He'd bounce me around and I'd pretend to steal the pens out of his overalls and he'd pretend like he didn't see me trying to sneak them out. Other times I'd just curl up in his lap and fall asleep while we watched an old western. He never failed to make me feel special or giggle uncontrollably.

He has always been there to play the role as both father and grandpa without complaint. He has the most pure heart out of any one I know, he works so hard for everyone around him no matter who they are. He is the first one so many people call when they're in need, and he would give them all he has I think if my grandma wasn't there to stop him. He doesn't express his emotions as much, he is more of the kind that shows their feelings through acts. He has so often been my security net, making me feel like everything would be okay without saying many words.

I love his passion for auctions, he can find the beauty or use in things that most of us would consider old and broken. I love his sense of humor, and how he calls all pop "soda water." I love how adorable he is with all of the grandkids. Most of all, I love that even though I'm grown up, he is always there for me. Hearing his words "Amanda, we're so proud of you" means more to me then he could ever imagine. Sometimes though, I wish I was a little girl again, crawling into his lap and not having to worry about a thing in the world.

I don't know why I felt the need to go on about my grandpa, but I guess it falls under the category of my life. I guess lately I've been thinking about the different people that have impacted my life. So there ya have it....my rambling of the day.

*Catching-Up*

First off...doesn't that face make you just laugh...haha love it!

Anyway...what a week! It was one of those where you feel like you're in a sea of water and just managing to tread enough to stay afloat. And to top it off...it seemed with everything I was running late. Late to class...late to work...late studying...getting to bed late.

Now after a busy Saturday I'm simply content to spend the rest of my night catching-up. Catching up on what you might wonder? My sanity. It requires a night of good food, possibly a movie, laughter and most of all no stress. Everyone needs at catch-up day....I think it should be an event celebrated weekly. If I were an evil genius that could take over the world...I would definitely make catch-up day a requirement.

On a different note....even with a crazy week and partially losing my mind, it was still good. I realize more and more often all of the amazing friends and people I have in my life. I don't know what I'd do without them. To make it even better...the weather!! It makes me oh so very excited.

I'm quite certain my mind has gone and left for summer. Sunshine, popsicles, late nights, star-gazing, fireworks...Ahhh!! I'm certain Cedar is going to be a mazillion times better in the summer then in the freezing cold winter. Only two more weeks left of the semester! :)

Up up and Away!

Someday I'm going to try this. Just like in the movies...Up or Danny Deckchair...I'll float away in a sea of colorful balloons, off to some new adventure.

This and That..

In planning out my classes for next semester, I got to thinking a lot about the future. Things I want to do, things I hope to accomplish, and everything else in between. So...here's a little peak of my dreams, goals, and bucket list....

-Become a pediatric nurse

-Ride a motorcycle

-Fix up a house...from bottom to top...complete with a wrap around porch

-Carve my name into a tree with my future someone

-Fly in a helicopter/jet

-Go skydiving

-Be somewhere...with warm weather and not a care in the world

-See the Northern Lights

-Load up the car and drive..with no plans at all...just enjoying the moment

-Visit the castles in Europe

-Try sushi

-Be there for the ball drop on New Years in Time Square

-Watch the Phantom of the Opera in Vegas

-Be married in the temple

-Have a family..filled with the good, the bad...and all of the happiness, love and humor that falls between

-Ride a ferris wheel, for hours..talking about anything a

nd everything

-Make a difference, no matter how small

-See 10 different waterfalls...the big, beautiful..amazing ones

-Get lost with someone, and enjoy the adventure of finding our way back

-Find the best star gazing spot

-Anonymously give a stranger in need $1000

-Go to the Oregon coast

-Watch fireworks from the middle of a lake

-Fall in love

Well there you have it...a small portion from my ever growing list. Someday I'll accomplish them. :)

So long, farewell.. :)

Well spring break with all its greatness has came and went. I would have been perfectly happy to push pause of life for a little while last week, but as they say...all good things come to an end. (However...I don't think good things end...maybe they just change into something else that is good in a different way, but that's a rambling for another day).

My break was filled with new contacts, a trip to Zion's, hiking Angels landing, driving to California, singing our lungs out in the car, getting lost, the amazing greatness of the ocean, the beach, sandcastles, sunshine and of course sunburns.

Overall...I loved it! I also learned a couple things:

1. Snacking on granola bars for three days almost ruins them

2. I need to learn directions..or become close friends with someone who can find me when I get lost.

3. A little sunscreen and aloe vera are almost essential for people with red hair.

4. Even after eating so much food that you feel like you'll burst, there is always room for a little ice cream

5. Sunsets are amazing. But they're even better when you have friends or someone to love it with you :)

Now with spring here....it's a time for new beginnings and changes. Plus...only 6 more weeks left in the semester!

1..2..3..Surprise!

I'm a fan of surprises. The good ones that is. They don't even have to be huge surprises, it could even be a little surprise that just makes you do nothing but smile for ten minutes.

I love how people always surprise you. At the start of this week, I wasn't too excited. With midterms piling up and a number of other things that I needed to do, I figured that it would be a slightly lousy week. I was very much tempted to just hide under my covers until the week was past.

I'm happy to say I was wrong. And my simple reason is: people.

They always seem to do what you least expect. Sure, at times, they may make you frustrated or annoyed...especially at times when you're in a hurry and you get stuck behind someone on the road going almost backwards because of their slow speed...But that's beside the point...at times they do things that are just simply good. So this is my thanks to all those who made my week better. To the people who held doors open for me when I was about to drop everything. To good friends who laugh with me over silly things and who are always there to help. To the people who gave a seemingly simple compliment. To the random people who returned my waves while walking across campus. To the people in my classes who draw hilarious doodles with me that make class even better. To the adorable little old man at walmart who sat and talked about food with me. To all those who took that extra couple seconds to say hello and mean it. To my room mates, for assisting in building an awesome blanket fort. There were countless other little things...but my point is you never know what can help make someones day.

My lesson learned of the week is that it's ok to wave ridiculously and be excited to see someone. Maybe even someone you have never even met. It might just make their day, even if it's only because they laughed at how silly you were :).

So in the end...I survived the week! Hello spring break!!! Bring on the warm weather and sun shine! More importantly.....shout for joy, run around in circles, do a happy dance and possibly even jump on your bed....because no classes for a week!!!