"Know Love"

A couple weeks before Halloween my Mom surprised me with one of her famous packages.  She sends me a package for every holiday!  I love her so much!  When I found the package I got so excited because I can always count on all kinds of fun things inside.  The minute I opened the box I smelled my Mom.  Is that weird?  I started looking through the package and there was the cutest purse full of treats and cute little halloween bags for me to hand out to other people.  My Mom made this "All Hallows Eve" banner for me to hang up in my apartment because she knew my roommates and I were wanting to make our little home festive!  The banner is actually still 

hanging up.  I should probably take it down but it's just so hard to because I know it's really cute and it's fun to tell everyone that comes over and asks about it that my Mom made that.  I'm so lucky I have a mom who is so creative!  I kept examining my purse and there's about a bazillion pockets and in one of them was Victor and Ralph Flower Bomb!(If you know me, I've been obsessed since it came out)  This is why when I opened the box it smelled of my Mom!  I remember talking to my Mom one day and just mentioning to her I am running out.  So she decided to send me some for Halloween.

I really don't know a greater women in the world then my Mom. She loves giving!  Every time I get a package from her it's full of great surprises and things that I had forgotten that I even mentioned to her I wanted.  I think the greatest part is that she remembered my friends.  She made sure that I would have something to give other people.  Ever since I was little she has taught me to remember others.  Whenever I talk her she is always giving me ideas of things I can do for my girls I visit teach, friends and all the people around me.  I cannot wait to go home for Thanksgiving.  We have some fun projects we are wanting to work on while I'm there.  Which is another reason why I love her.  She is so talented.  Through her I have a greater appreciation for music, art and just the simple things in life.  

Mom, I love you!  Thank you for every little lesson you have taught me and for everything you do for me, Lauryn, Taylor and Dad!  I can't wait to see you soon!

... This last image is one of 8 small squares of a mirror frame my Mom wood burned and painted for me a couple years ago.  This mirror could be a whole other blog post.  Maybe that will come soon!

"Bueller... Bueller.... Bueller?"

I'm here I promise!  I made it to Utah in one piece!  Thanks Dad for driving the whole way yet another trip!  He's such a trooper.  My Mom made sure to pack us lots of delicious cookies and clementines for the trip.  I think Clementines are my new favorite road trip snack.  Thanks Mom for keeping us well fed and not just on junk food!   

I'm so happy to be back here although I miss my family every day.  It has been very weird not having Lauryn here now.  I'm happy her and Derek are out doing bigger and better things but I'm sad I never get to see them, even if it is just to pick Lauryn up from work and take her home.  I really have been enjoying my time here though.  My best friend Larissa got home from her mission this past summer so she is back in Utah!  Her sister and brother Julia and Darren are up here, along with Larissa's boyfriend Mikkel and we have been having lots of fun.  I have missed these guys very much and it's so good to go and have fun with them again.

 All of the Dyer girls are up here as well.  This past weekend Rachel FINALLY had a volleyball game at home against Airforce.  Rachel played GREAT while Me, Lindsay, Nicole, Tammy, Emily and the rest of the family and friends cheered in our usual Flyer Dyer cheering section.  I really do have the best friends ever.  The Olsons and the Dyers have always made me feel like I am a part of their family and I am so thankful for them!

  

School has been going good, I have met with the Dental Hygiene school to get a feel for what exactly needs to get done.  So the process has begun.  I really wish I could just start today!  I'm really enjoying my classes.  They have all been easy so far and I have not felt a whole lot of stress from school.  This has been a blessing because somehow I have been able to do well in school while really focusing on becoming my best self and enjoying life!  My family and friends have been a huge part helping me and supporting me.  

Cheerleading has also been lots of fun.  We have already had a handful of volleyball games and all have gone well.  This squad is so much fun!  Everyone is great and works hard!  We are about to start to prepare for Nationals and I am so excited!  Competing was my favorite part about cheerleading!  The adrenaline rush you get right before and then all the excitement you feel right after you preform.  I cannot wait!  

That pretty much sums up the last few weeks.  This sort of is a tribute to my great family and friends.  Those who I don't get to see on a regular basis these days I miss so much and I love them lots and lots!  I'm so glad I have great friends and I have really loved making new friends with my roommates and everyone in my ward!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TAYLOR!!!!

Today Taylor turns 13 so I will list my top 13 favorite things about her!  Taylor is and amazing girl so it's going to be kind of hard to narrow the list to 13.  

#1.  She's so smart!  I don't think I have ever heard my parents ask her to do her homework or study.  She has always done it on her own and has always made all A's.

   #2.  Taylor is so athletic.  She loves all sports but her favorite is Volleyball. She just made the school team and found out today that she is on the A team! Also she gets to go to the BYU volleyball game in College Station on her birthday!  My good friend Rachel Dyer is on the team and she is Taylor's favorite player along with Misty May.  What a great birthday!  I'm just so sad I can't be there with her today but I know she is having a great day!

#3.  Taylor is so cute!  She's never been a huge fan of shopping but she's really starting to enjoy it and she always looks cute in everything!

#4.  She's hysterical!  I try and convince her and everyone that it's because I'm funny but she's been witty since she could talk. 

#5.  She will not tell a lie.  I have come to learn if you want Taylor's opinion she will tell you.  Even if she knows it's not what you're wanting to hear she will let you know but in the nicest way.  

#6.  Taylor is a great friend.  She's one of my best friends.  Everyone loves her and want's to be her friend.  She's a very well rounded girl and has all kind of friends and she is a great example to all of them.

#7.  Taylor is so responsible.  Not only do my parents not have to ask her to do her homework but whenever she has gone on school trips or trips with friends families she is always checking in with someone in the our family and making sure we know where she is or if she has to put her phone away we know that's why she's not answering or calling.  No one asked her to do this.

#8. She's extremely caring.  Anytime I have ever been sick or hurt she is always around making sure I have what I need and helping my mom.  I really appreciate her for all her love.

#9. Taylor is so creative.  Give her a box and she's entertained for days.  I remember one Easter when she was very little she got a large Easter basket.  She spent more hours in the basket then playing with her presents from the Easter Bunny that day.

#10.  She's so much fun to do things with.  Taylor and I took a trip to California two summers ago and the two of us went to Disneyland.  I had so much fun and I always want her with me when I go.  

#11.  She never quits.  If Taylor starts something she will finish it even if she has something more fun to do.

#12.  Taylor loves to read.  She just finished reading Animal Farm right before I came back to Utah.  I was required to read Animal Farm my Freshman year of

 high school and I think I considered the class discussion as "reading".  I'm glad she has always loved reading where as I just started to love reading after High School.  

#13.  The best thing about Taylor is she is who she is.  It has never really mattered to her whether it was popular or not for her to do certain things or be a certain way.  If it's what she liked or what she was supposed to be doing then she would do it no matter what.  Taylor is unique girl and I hope she continues to improve her already great qualities!  I love her and miss her so much!

Tomorrow Taylor tries out for club volleyball so my birthday wish to her is that she plays her best to make the team she's hoping for and has a great season in both club and school volleyball.  

I LOVE YOU TAYLOR!  HAPPY 13TH BIRTHDAY!

Great Grandma Christensen

Elma Smith Christensen

1910-2008

My adorable cousin Chloe and Great Grandma on their 7th and 96th birthday.  The are exactly 89 years apart.

There are certain woman in my life who I have always looked up to and I always will.  One of them is my Great Grandma Christensen. She has lived a full 97 years of life.  I am very sad that she is no longer here but I am feeling very at peace and happy for her.  My Great Grandpa passed before my parents were married and I know she has been missing him very much.  I am so grateful to know that this life is not the end and she finally with my Great Grandpa and my Uncle Brent, her son (who was very openly her favorite).  

Just before I came home for the summer some friends and I wanted to take a trip out of Utah and go to California.  While we were there I made sure I saw her.  She didn't remember who I was but I was so happy to just see her and listen to her great stories just one more time.  Her stories were always one of my favorite things about her.  My senior year of high school I was visiting California for a week with my Dad and we went to see her.  At the time she was still living on her own and her memory was still very sharp.  I remember being so fascinated by her memory and her stories that I didn't want to leave.  She was telling me all about my grandpa when he was younger and then some great stories of her playing in her backyard when she was just a little girl.  Although she didn't remember me the last time I saw her she was telling me all about Brigham City and if she were to go back she would drive down the road and say "You're lost you dummy" (these were her exact words) but then if she kept driving she knows she would see something that would make her remember.  She kept thanking me for coming to see her friend (my Grandpa's sister) when really we were coming to see her.  

I love my Great Grandma Christensen and she will always hold a special place in my heart. 

Proud to be... Lauryn's sister!

The day has come!  Lauryn has officially graduated from BYU.  In the spirit of getting an education I would like to list some of the many life lessons Lauryn has taught me.

1. Lighten Up! - Once in high school she changed my school password to get onto all the computers.  I discovered this one sunny day at school when I went to the computer lab and I tried to log onto the computer and failed.  Then a ransom note popped up on the screen.  Going back and remembering the note, it was pretty funny.  It had all kinds of inside jokes leading me to what the password would be.  But I freaked out because I was being a little dramatic and thought I had a hacker and I really needed to get working on this project.  So I panicked and thought I would ask Lauryn if she had anything to do with it... DUH!... and the password ended up being LondonFranceUnderpants.  

2. If you fall get up and laugh... literally - Lauryn has always been known for her grace... She can almost make it 5 feet without finding something to stumble over.  Although she might have a few problems with walking, she doesn't let it get her down.  She will either a. trip and move on, just pretend it didn't happen or b. laugh at her self, which is the most common option.  I feel this lesson can be adapted to other scenario's in life then it's literally meaning.

3. "What is right isn't always popular and what is popular isn't always right." - This was actually painted around the border of Lauryn's room when we were younger.  I believe this was around the same time Lauryn LOVED fanny-packs.  If you look through her pictures through a certain age in her life, she is always wearing a bright pink fanny-pack.  And while they are not socially acceptable, they are so convenient and functional.

4. I can do anything - I'm not sure people know the many faces of Lauryn.  I think she has tried everything!  Cheerleading, acting, singing, drawing, painting, volleyball, and let's not forget dancing.  Wow! Her stage preference is any public area with music playing.  I will admit there were times I wanted to run away from her but those were usually the times she was including me in her routine.  Now I miss having someone dance around the store.  This might be because I now enjoy dancing in public places as well.

Lauryn has paved a great path for both me and Taylor to follow in.  She has always been there for me and so supportive.  At pep-rally's and competitions I'm not sure if her or my mom were yelling louder for me.  Lauryn has always motivated me to do more and reach my goals.  I know Taylor and I look up to her so much and want to be the sister, daughter, friend, and now scholar that she is.  : )  

Lauryn I love you so much and I can't wait for you to come home tomorrow so we can crack ourselves up all week long!  

LOVE YOU!  MEAN IT! 

"Oh, say, can you see..."

When I was little I was convinced I was the next Dominique Moceanu and I would one day be on the U.S. Women's Gymnastics team.  Well, I never made it to the Olympics but I sure do love watching them.  My family has always gotten into the games.  Christensen favorites are swimming, diving, synchronized diving (I'm really loving this one these days), volleyball (all of them), basketball, and of course gymnastics (both men's and women's).  

The men's gymnastics team competition was on last night and my family was really getting into the competition because the U.S. Men's team wasn't predicted to do as well as they did.  The Chinese team ended up with the Gold, the Japanese team won Silver and our U.S. team won the Bronze.  We were very proud, especially Kipper.  She really enjoyed the Chinese National Anthem and I think she might have a slight crush on one the their team members

So while my family and I are enjoying the Olympics in the family room, Kipper will be in Taylor's room (as pictured) and Scout will be hiding as far under my parents bed as possible from the thunderstorm approaching.

Who Won the Gold?

Late at night, hours after the lifeguards have gone home for the day and are fast asleep, a group of kids hop the fence and take a midnight dip in the pool.  Sometimes they like to help us out and clean our lawn chairs  and other various pool supply's by giving them a good soak in the pool.  Only they forget about the drying process and leave them to soak over night.  One night last week our little helpers decided to take a token for all their hard work.  I wasn't aware that the lane line was such a hot commodity!  I guess that seems to be the case.  

Our lap swimmers are very confused when they come for their swim and the floating red, white and blue rings are no longer there.   Most approach me while I am surveying the pool and ask where it has gone.  After they hear that it has gone missing, they usually ask me "What would someone do with a lane line?"

Since sitting in a chair for 30 minute increments through out the day leaves me with so much time to think, I have really pondered this question.  I have come up with a few theories...

1. It is a good floatation devise.  So maybe someone lugs it around to other pools and uses it as their own personal floatie.

2. The economy is bad, so maybe there is a pool that's really hurting out there and they are in great need for a lane line.  If this is the case, I'm happy we could help you out.

3. A lane line could make some fun streamers. A bit heavy but I'm sure with some strong hooks and nails it could work.

4. My last thought... The Olympics do start today and maybe someone is just a very big fan of Michael Phelps and to really get them in true Olympic Swimming spirit they felt it necessary to get themselves a lane line. 

And for that fan I give you, Michael Phelps and TWO lane lines.  I think we could work out blowing this picture up to cover at least one of your walls.

   

On the bright side, until our lane line is either returned or replaced I have one less thing to blow my whistle about.  

Happy Summer, it's the best of all holidays!!

Since I have spent the majority of my summer at home, in beautiful Austin I felt it was only appropriate to title my post after one of my many favorite memories of home.  Here's the story; My mom, Taylor and I were driving down Guadalupe one day last summer for some shopping on The Drag.  At one of the street corners we spotted a man standing with a sign.  This is not so unusual for downtown Austin but it wasn't until he flipped the sign over and we actually read it that we all burst out laughing.  On one side of the sign it said "Happy Saturday" and when he flipped it over it read "it's the best of all holidays!".  Our friend was not asking for money he was just making a statement.  He took note of us enjoying his sign and gave us a big smile with two thumbs up.  Since that day, we have used that phrase for various occasions around the Christensen household.  Today I use it for summer.  

I got home and had lots of fun helping my mom make cupcakes for birthdays, bridal showers, baby showers and teacher appreciation.  I have to give most of the credit to my mom and her friend Carolyn.  I just like to play around with the fondant.  Ever since I was little my mom always had some kind of "project".  She's so creative and talented!  Growing up I have loved watching, learning and then attempting to do the things she does.  

Memorial weekend I had some friends come in town.  I keep telling 

every one to come to Austin because it's so great.  We had so much fun eating/people watching at Whole Food, relaxing at 360 lookout, making 8 minute cakes, sliding down the stairs on a mattress (including my mom), seeing all there is to see on 6th and so much more.  It was a great weekend!  Now we just want them to come back.  Hopefully Amy will be getting a job here in the next year or so and we can continue to make some great memories!  

I have also been spending lots of time at my dad's spanish branch.  We got to go visit the Young Women at girls camp on Bishops Night (Taylor was at girls camp this year so it was so much fun to see her as well... I missed her very much while she was gone).  We helped them paint t-shirts and my mom brought them each a cupcake and a charm bracelet.  They loved the cupcakes so much they wanted us to teach them how to make them at Mutual.  So the week after they got back from camp we had a fun baking night at Mutual with the girls.  There has been a lot of other fun activities with the branch, most including homemade tamales.  I am going to miss that a lot when I go back to Utah.  

Most recently I just got back from Las Vegas.  Last year I cheered for UVU and decided after all my years cheering it was time to retire my pom pons.  I'm not completely finished with cheerleading though.  This upcoming year I will be helping out with the squad where ever they

need me.  I am very happy about this because that will be my job.  Part of this included

attending camp with the squad.  The cheer coach was not able to make it to camp with us so I took on his role as much as possible.  The squad really learned so much those few days, especially the boys.  I can't wait for this next year and even more, I'm looking forward toNationals in Daytona Beach!  I have so many fun pictures that I want to put up here but I will only choose a few.  

To the left we have a picture of the whole squad plus me and Carly (the cheer and dance director).

And the picture to the right is a funny story.  I literally went straight from the airport to camp. I got there right when they started to introduce all the staff and they announced Adam.  Adam was my private coach in Austin who taught me all my partner stunts and helped me get my full (straight body backflip with a twist). I was so surprised! It was very fun seeing him there, especially in Las Vegas of all places to run into him.  He's now the assistant cheer coach at The University of Texas at Arlington.

After camp I stayed a couple extra days with my friend Amy.  She's from Las Vegas so it was so great to have a nice home to go to and relax.  I had so much fun with her and her family.  Her mom always made sure we were well fed and that I had everything I needed.  Amy made sure I got to experience Las Vegas at it's best.  There was some great shopping there and I got lot of fun things!  I really appreciate their whole family for providing such a fun couple days!

Now, I have a few more weeks left of work and everyone around the house cannot wait for Lauryn to get here!!  We have so many plans for her so she can get a good trip home before her and Derek move to Washington.  Until she gets here I'm sure there will be plenty of updates from the pool.  The pool is quite the funny place and I have lots of stories.