The in between time

After I returned to Utah after thanksgiving break it was 17 days of insanity before I could get back home. I had a week straight of a thousand projects due. I thought I wasn’t going to survive, but by some miracle I did. Then I had to finish my tests and was able to end the semester with a 3.87 GPA. I was a little upset I received a B+ in one of my classes. I think I deserved an A, but what can you do? It’s in the past, time to move on to bigger and better things.
This time also consisted of two bridal showers and two of my best friends growing up were getting married over Christmas.
First this lovely lady:


And then this one:


Love them both.

Grandpa

On November 20th 2010 my grandfather Robert Farnes Leininger passed away in Concord, California. He had entered the hospital a week before and was rushed into surgery for a double aortic aneurism. They were telling us that he would not make it through the surgery and that we should be preparing for the worst. He pulled through and was looking better and better everyday. His vitals were never very stable so he remained in the hospital throughout the week. He and my mom were able to have a couple hours to talk and just hold hands on Friday (throughout the week he had been kept in a coma like state to help with his healing. He also had a tube in his throat and every time he woke up he would thrash and try to pull it out.) Then early Saturday morning he had a heart attack and passed on. I was blessed to have grown up right next door to him. He was always there to love and I hope he knew how much I cared for him. When I was growing up, he would always drive me to my dance classes, piano lessons, and anywhere else I might need to go. He loved doing it to. It was precious. He would always be waiting fifteen to twenty minutes early for me, running the AC if it was hot or the heater if it was cold, just to make sure I was comfortable. Then, as we would drive, he would tell me stories of his life, either past or present and I would just listen and enjoy. He was also the man who fixed everything for me. When I was little I would always bring over broken toys and he would do all he could to repair them. I’m grateful to have known the man and we were blessed to keep him with us for ninety years. His funeral was the following Tuesday (11/23/10) and it was a beautiful service. My father, Uncle Bart, and Uncle Steve all spoke and there was a variety of musical numbers. All the family was together, and by all I mean everyone! Our house was insanity! But, it was very enjoyable and we were all able to be together for Thanksgiving, a first in many years.

Love and miss you always.

The Oak Tree

Oh my dear blog...
I owe you so much more than I can give right now.
I promise tomorrow to update on all of life's adventures, but until then here is some food for thought.
Tonight Elder Ballard gave an incredible talk. He quoted a poem at the end and this was my favorite part:

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.

A mighty wind blew night and day.
It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away.
Then snapped its boughs
and pulled its bark
until the Oak was tired and stark.

But still the Oak Tree held its ground
while other trees fell all around.
The weary wind gave up and spoke,
"How can you still be standing Oak?"

The Oak Tree said, I know that you
can break each branch of mine in two,
carry every leaf away,
shake my limbs and make me sway.

But I have roots stretched in the earth,
growing stronger since my birth.
You'll never touch them, for you see
they are the deepest part of me.

Until today, I wasn't sure
of just how much I could endure.
But now I've found with thanks to you,
I'm stronger than I ever knew.

Four weeks in...

Oh goodness it's been a while. Let's see life is:

School
School
School
Play with friends
School
and
School

BUT...

I have some wonderful girls in my major that I get to see everyday, so school can be quite fun. Filled with laughter and stories about boys ;)

Let's hit the highlights
- I'm FHE mom
- My dad visited this past weekend, I got to see him for all of five hours, but it was enjoyable
- I have wonderful roommates
- I have amazing friends, both old and new
- I'm somehow able to juggle 18 credits and not cry (but I am rather exhausted most days)
- I'm not sick anymore!
- I found out I will be student teaching for the third grade for a month starting October 26th, I'm VERY excited! My mentor teacher is my mom Mary's sister. So it should be a lot of fun to work with her in Provo.
- In all my classes I learn everyday how to be a better: teacher, mother, and person. It's amazing how much I've been able to grow in these last four weeks.
- I'm doing better at exercising and reading my scriptures.
- Bones is back! (My favorite show)

Life is good. Heavenly Father is great. I can't wait for General Conference this weekend.

Oh and i love my family, they're the greatest.

Today I was lunching with Karissa and we were standing in line.

I made a fool of myself. It's one of those have to be there or you wouldn't find it funny, but for Karissa I had to post to the world and say

"NAVAJO!" [insert Janelle's opera voice here]

love you beautiful girl.

jason reeves.

So yesterday my beautiful friend ashley texted me and asked if i wanted to go with her to see jason reeves.

i was exstatic! i've been listening to his music since high school. it just makes you happy.

if you don't know who he is go find him on itunes or youtube. actually here he is.



i just love him. he was amazing live. we (ashley, stacy, and libby) were right in front and just got lost in all the beautiful music. it was incredible. and then after the show we got to meet him and he signed shirts and stickers and such. pictures will be on facebook. basically it was incredible and now i can't wait for his new album in january.

love from p-town,

j

And it begins again...

Ok, i'm offically one of the worst bloggers but once you understand what I've been attempting to do you will understand.

I'm officially back in Provo and a week and a half into my junior year of college. I have begun my first cohort for the El Ed program and am taking 18 credits. Yes, i did just say 18 credits. i know i'm crazy. School is INSANE! I start class at either 8 or 7:30 every morning (if you know me you know i'm not exactly a morning person) i thank my summer job for having me be at work at 8 every day this summer, it sort of prepared me.

So basically my life has been trying to find some sort of balance in this insanity. I've had so many assignments, and i'm trying to find time to do homework, go to the gym, play, relax, eat and sleep. Something has got to give eventually but until then we'll just keep powering through!

I am back with my same wonderful roommates (Becca, Brooke, Talia, Hannah and Karen) living in the colony. It is a really fun place to live with lots of great people. We also have some of our close friends from last year here which makes it even more enjoyable.

Life is life...Sorry i'm not more interesting or insightful. Oh here's something cool, for one of my classes i've had to keep a gratitude journal everyday. I write at least three, i usually have more, things i'm grateful for. I've found this has been quite theraputic and is helping me to see all that the Lord blesses me with. If anyone is having a bad day, i reccommend it. It will help the soul.

I've also made a personal goal. Finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. If i read about 4 pages a day I should be done in time.

I have also been trying to be a better journal writer.

New year new me.

love from provo,

j