Family Visits and State Fair

Well, I've been home for a few months now, and I'm back into the swing of things here in the 'real world'. I have a job at Chick-fil-A, so that's where I spend a lot of my time. It's a good job, I get to work with some great people, it's closed on Sundays so I don't have to worry about being scheduled then, and not to mention, I love the food (no, I haven't gotten tired of it yet. I'm sure it's only a matter of time.)

In other news, I have gotten to do a bit of traveling since I've been home. The beginning of August, Trevin and I went to Missouri to see David and Sammy and their adorable kids. When I saw them on the way home from my mission, Ashton and Hannah were really shy around me, maybe even a little afraid of me, so I was relieved to find that they warmed up to me pretty quickly while we stayed there. Unfortunately I didn't take any pictures while I was there, but I can assure you that I had a great time with them. We set up a trampoline in the basement, played with the kids, and otherwise just had fun together.

In September, I flew to Wisconsin specifically to babysit Knightley and Mason, but also to see Jeffrey and Debbie. It was a lot of fun. Knightley and Mason definitely didn't remember me, but they also warmed up to me not long after I got there. We did lots of fun things together-

We did puzzles...

...we played outside and drew with chalk on the sidewalk...

...built a fort...

...and their favorite thing was watching their new Cars movie: Mater's Tall Tales.

They're some adorable kids. Aside from that, I also had fun with Jeffrey and Debbie, talking with them and staying up late playing games. It was a fun trip.

In the beginning of October, David and Sammy also came here to visit, so we got to spend a few days with them again. And again, I didn't take any pictures while they were here. (I promise I'm not playing favorites!) But we had fun, and I loved having them here. I can't wait to see everyone at Thanksgiving.

In other news, we also went to the Texas State Fair last week - it was awesome! I haven't been in years. We looked around at some of the animals - horses, dogs, pigs... all so cute. We also watched an amazing dog show where the dogs would catch frisbees while doing back flips (no joke), and crazy cool stuff like that. It was incredible. We also had some chicken fried bacon, which tasted AMAZING. And finally - the highlight of the Fair - we got to see our favorite local band, the Killdares. They are awesome. All of us except Mom had Killdares T-shirts, and three of us had their new DVD/CD for them to sign. Yeah, we're fans.

Though my life seems mundane at times, it looks like I've had plenty going on. And I love it.

I'm Back!

I finished my missionary service and I am back at home! My mission went by so fast. I can't believe it's over and done. It was an amazing experience. It was super hard; the hardest thing I've done thus far. But I can say without hesitation that it was the best decision I ever made. I loved it.

I was really sad to leave, but I love being back home with my family. Now all I have to worry about is jobs, school, dating, money, and all that junk that comes with growing up. :) I'm going to be at home for a semester to hopefully work and figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life.

Now we'll just see where my life takes me!

I'm Off!

Well everyone, I'm leaving for Utah in the morning. I'll spend a few days there, and then I go into the MTC! This is real!

For those who want to keep in touch with me, I'll have my mailing information up on my Facebook page, along with my mission blog that my family will keep updated for me:
http://sisterjacobson.blogspot.com/

Wish me luck!

A New Decade

Happy 2010!

We've started a new year, people are going back to school, life is marching on.

It feels a bit odd not going back to BYU when everyone else was, but I gotta say, it's also nice. I could use a break from school. The thing I miss is seeing all the friends I've made there. It's been really fun staying at home, though, while Cody and Chanelle go to school and Dad goes to work. I haven't been up to much as I don't have a real job and no one would want to hire me for only a month. So I've spent some time with Wii Fit Plus and even more with Mom. :) Also, my roommate Jessica is coming to Dallas for the weekend! We've become great friends, and she's made a big impact on my life. Not to mention, she's going into the MTC just two weeks after I do!

It's so weird to think that I'm leaving for my mission in two and a half weeks. That's so close, it's scary! Of course I'm excited to an extent, but I'd be lying if I said I feel like I'm totally ready to go. I'm loving being at home with my family, and I don't know if I could ever get enough of it. But I do know that I'm doing what the Lord wants me to do, and I'm going where He wants me to go. And if I'm always trying to do those things, what more do I need?

'Tis the Season

Christmas break has been great!

I had a lot of fun playing with my friends as we finished up the semester; it was a really great one for me. Really awesome. ^_^

BYU went to Vegas for our bowl game, where we played against Oregon State. And we trashed them. It was an awesome game, which was fitting, because the game was actually on my birthday. What a place to turn 21 - Vegas! All the opportunities! I'm kidding, of course, but it was a good birthday all the same. :)

After the game I came home for the holidays, and on Christmas Eve it snowed! Typically if it snows at all in Texas, it doesn't stick for long if at all, but it kept snowing and stuck around all evening and into Christmas day! Believe me, this is a big deal. First of all, it's my first white Christmas (that I've been old enough to remember), and second of all, it's apparently the first time in I think 80 years that that's happened here! How awesome is that?

Christmas was awesome, as it always is. There were less people around this year, but I love being here with my family.

Even sugar was dressed for the holidays with a gingerbread man on her shirt - she's so adorable in that thing! (I'm actually still amazed that Dad tolerated her wearing a shirt.)

One of our family traditions on Christmas Eve is playing Christmas songs on all our instruments. In this video Cody, Chanelle, and I are playing Frosty the Snowman. Yes, the brass instruments are considerably louder than the flute (particularly the trombone:).

Thanksgiving

This week I got to come home for Thanksgiving break. It's been so fun to be here with so much of my family. I couldn't ask for anything more. ^_^

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I'd like to list a few of the things in my life that I'm truly grateful for:

• The awesome country that I live in
• My friends in all areas of my life
  
• My roommates, a.k.a. the best roommates in the world
• My job and the amazing people I work with
• My family; I love them more than anything
• Being able to see some of my family at school and in Provo
  
• The church I belong to; it brings me happiness
• The opportunity I have to serve as a missionary for my church

My life is greatly blessed, and I am so grateful for the things that fill it.

Band Practice

So, at band practice today, we worked on part of our show that we're doing joint with the University of Utah band. The U game is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, so a small group of people (myself included) won't be going to the game because of Thanksgiving break and the traveling that goes with it. So while most of the band was learning drill and practicing the new tune we're playing in the show, the small group that's not going to the game got to stand around on the sideline with nothing to do.

Half of us ended up playing a game called Ninja Strike for the first hour of rehearsal. Then we stood around talking and watching/listening to the band for another half hour. And then we split up for sectionals to work on our new music, and those of us who aren't going to the game don't have to pass it off, while everyone else does. So I just got to leave!

One hour of Ninja Strike. Half an hour of standing around talking. Go home. Best band rehearsal ever.