That One Time: Todd Goes to Botswana!

I'm realizing that the last year I missed a bunch of huge awesome life events while I was busy being a senior in college, so now I'm playing catch-up!

My sweet, sweet, sweet, studly little brother got his mission call!

I made a cake. It was an abstract globe, and Africa was definitely an after-thought. No joke-- I was seriously ... okay my globe is done.. something's missing... oh Africa! Which is why it's not exactly the correct proportions.

Which is why it's even better that - - HE GOT CALLED TO BOTSWANA GABORONE! English speaking of course, because our Heavenly Father knows my sweet brother very well.  So in exactly two months from yesterday -- that great brother of mine will be in (or flying to maybe) Africa learning how to teach people the Gospel and change people's lives forever!

Kelli's Day

Kelli's Day was an interesting one this year in that I haven't made any friends down here yet, except those required to be my friends -- like Maria my land-lady/roommate and those lovely ladies and gentlemen at work.... So I did the best I could, but I would have to say this was probably one of the worst Kelli's Days I've had in a while. This is fine because the good thing about Kelli's Day is that I could try again later this summer if I really wanted to -- the beauty of making up your own holiday! 

I had a lazy day for most of it. I tried to go a ward activity, but I left pretty early after talking to just about .... no one. My own fault that I lack social skills.  The activity was supposed to take three hours so I suddenly had about three hours to kill! 

First, I found a used bookstore.  It was fantastic.  The book places around here are fantastic! I went to the Littleton Library just to check it out, and it was PACKED with books.  Every tiny nook and cranny had more and more books! Can't wait to get a card!!!  The used bookstore was the same way -- I walked in and there were tons of books on the floor at the entrance that they were trying to sort through.  The store itself had tiny walkways in a maze-like fashion between stacks and stacks and stacks of books.  I finally found my place in the back and sat down on a tiny rocking chair to look through all my favorite books! I decided on a book I'd read before that's pretty good! (Front and Center - pictured below!)

I then went to the lake at Ketring park to get tan and read! It was very relaxing, and it was a beautiful view on a beautiful day! Super fun.

Before I went back home I stopped at Goodwill to grab myself a movie and found, after much scouring, the movie Signs -- what a classic right?!

I got home and checked the mail to find two letters -- one from Toni and one from my mom! They are fantastic people! And soooo sweet to remember my fake holiday! Toni made me the cutest banner pictured above and sweet Aubrey sent me two pictures! They are the best. My mom sent me the sweetest note and 20 dollars to add to my Kelli's Day fund.  Now that I'm basically un-employed 20's in the mall really feel like manna from heaven! I was so excited to get mail!!! :) 

I made the cake and heated up my left-over Thai food and had a delightful evening!  

I really hesitate to put this last picture up, but because I trust you, I'll put it up anyway.  This is my friend Maria who shared my day with me! She's so great! :)  Before you ask questions like "Has Kelli been eating at an all-you-can-eat buffet for the last three weeks?" The answer is no I have not been gaining weight like crazy, but I somehow managed to put together the perfect combination of factors (bubbling shirt, awkward head turn AND tilt, and strange angle of the arm) to create the most un-flattering picture ever.  What a talent, am-I-right?

Happy Kelli's Day to you and yours!!!!

I'm Done.

As in Done with classes. Done with school-related stress. Done with cramming my brain with no reference guide. Done!!!

Also I'm DONE with another bucket list item: Get my picture on the Testing Center Web-Cam!! 

My sweet roommate Stacey helped me fulfill my goal, as I prepared for my LAST Final in the Testing Center (which I aced btw -- Testing Center screen judged my performance to be "Awesome!").

See if you can spot me:

The Good and The Bad

Today I:

• checked my email and I got a notice from two (TWO!) libraries that the books I had on hold at each place had come in!
• only to find out the book I really wanted most was turned in - but was somehow lost between the time I got the email saying it was turned in and when I went to pick it up - less than 6 HOURS apart. 

Today I:

• spent an hour and half finishing the formatting on my project that was worth 300 (300!) points!
• only to find out the formatting was wrong after I printed it. 

Today I:

• officially entered my last (last!) week of classes as an undergraduate student at BYU
• only to realize I have one major project left, a final draft of paper due, and four (FOUR!) test left before graduation.

Much to no one's surprise I'm sure, I'm most disappointed about the book being lost! 

And I'm most excited that I turned in the 300 point assignment! 

And overall life is fantastic! 

(and will continue to be so.. hopefully..)

Equal Parts Nostalgia, Cheese, and Gratitude!

Four years ago in May, four best friends graduated from high school:

Chelsea headed out to BYU the summer after high school, so we organized our last hoorah:

We spent on last night together:

What you can't see is the broom Chels has hidden in her bed for protection!

And we began the next phase of our lives: College!!!

Then after three short years, we slowly began entering the next new phases of our lives.

Darcee got married:

 And we were there:

Then Alexa got married:

And we were there:

And, the newest development and the reason for my current reflection, Chelsea is going on a mission:

Sister Akin of the DC South Mission!

And we'll be there via prayer and letters!!

And I'm re-realizing how blessed I am and have been to have these girls as best friends through those (and these) critical years in my life! They each have become examples to me in their own way.  They support me and love me and make me feel like a real person who matters!  I'm just so excited for all of us to start on our next adventures which keep getting bigger and better with age!

MY MOM WAS BORN TODAY!

My mom was born on this day not too many years ago, 

and she's great, so she gets a whole blog post to herself!!

Isn't she lovely? 

And out-doorsy?

And happy?

And adventurous?

And still as in love as she was as a brand new bride?

Of all the mom's in the world - I'm so glad I got mine! I can not begin to spell out all the ways she's made my life better, but they have been numerous! She's the most supportive, kindest, funniest lady I know! What a blessing she is! Happy Birthday Mom! 

I'm an Intern!

Remember when I told you my life was stressful and boring and I'd need your prayers?  Well folks... the prayers have been answered:

I am the new 

Intern 

at the 

Craig Hospital

in 

Denver, CO.

So I'll be spending my summer in Denver, Colorado at this place:

And I'll be doing things like:

and

and

and so much more with people with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.

I have so blessed to get this opportunity, and I am so excited to learn to become the best Recreation Therapist in the world!