Missing my family but staying optimistic

Lately, I've been missing my family more and more. Part of it is talking with my brother on the phone and laughing my head off at how hilarious the two of us can be once we start going. Part of it is my job since I have to listen to conversations about parents and their involvement in their kids' lives for hours on end, remembering all the wonderful memories of elementary school with my mom. Part of it is my roommate's family came down for the weekend and so of course I was reminded of my own family. Part of it is that they brought me a package from home that was full of random stuff from the pantry that my mom grabbed for me, reminding me of how funny and sweet she is. Part of it is that my family is coming for my birthday in April and I seriously cannot wait. Is it Easter yet?

Well here are my words of advice to all you who have your family nearby: enjoy every second of it! Because more than likely, someday you will not live nearby and you will miss them. So hug them every chance you get, tell them you love them every time they walk in the door, be patient with them when they can get annoying, and act totally crazy with them. Because when you can't, you will miss that. I sure miss driving in the car with my dad listening to the radio. I miss acting absolutely crazy with my brother and sister. I miss curling up in my mom's bed to talk to her. I miss reading scriptures as a family and acting out the words and laughing so hard we can't even get through prayer.

Even though I miss my family, I have managed to stay happy and optimistic. Because I have been so blessed to come to BYU. I have an amazing FHE family and we were lucky to play soccer last night with one of our brothers from last semester. We missed him so much and it was great to hang out with him. And two Saturdays ago we went to a dance that BYU put on for Heritage Halls and YView. It was AMAZING!! The best dance I have ever been too! Seriously, the decorations were beautiful! I have never been to a school dance that was as beautiful as that. And it was FREE! Didn't have to pay a dime. And they had catering and Italian sodas and carriage rides and caricatures and it was CLEAN! Clean music, clean dancing, modest clothing. It was awesome! And it didn't matter that I didn't have a date. I wore a gorgeous dress of my roommate's, did my hair all pretty, and went with two of my very good friends. Most of the slow songs I had to interpretive dance again, since most guys came with dates, but I did still get asked to dance a couple times. I was seriously flying that night I was so excited.

Last Friday, a large group in the ward went ice skating and that was so much fun! I seriously love ice skating. I used to take lessons way long ago and I still remember how to do some tricks so that was so much fun to practice my moves again. It's sad though how much I've forgotten how to do. It's true when they say if you don't practice, you'll lose it. I felt like flying on that ice though. I want to go ice skating with someone who is really fast though because I love going fast and I wish I could race someone. Maybe someday.

And today we had a real dinner for once! Like with multiple courses and all the food groups and everything. We had lasagna, green salad, fruit salad, seasoned bread, and jello. It was so much food. We loved it! And later we played makeshift baseball in our FHE brother's dorm with plates and water bottles. Oh yeah, we can be pretty creative.

Well, bottom line is, I love my family, and I love BYU. I truly have been amazingly blessed. And now I am going to bed, because I am so tired. Good night!