Give me 2 minutes

All I'm asking for is like 2 minutes for me to be excited about my life. I'm not one to make a big deal out of these kinds of things (actually, I never do for that matter), but for once I feel the need to express my sheer happiness about the following things:

1. I had the opportunity to help out with some BYUSA recruiting this week and had a total blast. I am absolutely in love with that organization and all the people in it. 

2. I survived my first of many cadaver labs without passing out, throwing up, or crying (which was a feat in and of itself) and aced my lab quiz.

3. I got to see my family on Thursday at my little cousin's 7th birthday party. I love them!

4. I GOT MY KEYBOARD YESTERDAY! It had been in storage at my grandparents house all summer and I finally got it in my dorm. I am SO happy. 

5. I got a 10/10 on my first American Heritage essay! And I got a 100% on my anatomy quiz! 

6. It is FRIDAY and life is beautiful!! 

Okay. 

I'm done. 

Thanks for reading and bearing with me. 

Hakuna matata,

Mallory 

Life is good

Well, this marks the end of my second week of the fall semester. I think I am beginning to work out a routine that works best to accomplish the 50 billion hours of daily work I am expected to accomplish in only 24. 

Wednesday evening Sarah and I went out for a surprise birthday party for one of our good friends from our summer ward. It was so great to celebrate and see all our summer girls again!  

Thursday was boring--classes and studying. But Sarah and I managed to make our day a little better by eating Twix ice cream bars. We are obsessed. 

Friday I finished all my classes and went to babysit my adorable little cousins in the evening. Then Sarah and I had facial-Frosty-and-fries Friday. Quite possibly a new tradition? That would be FABULOUSLY FANTASTICALLY FUN! (we had too much fun making alliterations). 

You can say it...... WE ARE SO CUTE! ;)

This morning I was privileged to wake up bright and early at 7:30 to go to an anatomy open lab. Woo. (NOT).

Then we went to the BYU vs. Weber State football game!!! WOOOOOOO! (unlike the previous woo, this one is not laced with sarcasm! That is a genuine woo!)

Love these girls! 

Kinsey, Sarah and I trying to cool off with some frozen lemonade! It was so hot outside! And yes, I got a sunburn on only half of my face because of the way our seats faced. It's super cute. 

And I forgot to mention.... WE FOUND WALDO!!! 

We won 45-13, in case you were wondering! Go Cougars!

Then we went to Cafe Rio! And we ate with Divine Comedy. Or stalked them. Your choice. They are just the coolest people ever! We are obsessed. 

Love her! <3 

Well that's all for tonight. 

Remember...don't count the days; make the days count. 

Hakuna matata,

Mallory 

I love to see the Temple

Hello one and all! Let me fill you in on this weekend!

Sunday was fast and testimony meeting at church. It was a great meeting and I truly felt the Spirit as each of the testimonies were born. 

Monday was Labor Day! Hooray! 

I played tennis in the morning with some friends and then went to my aunt's house for a delicious lunch! It was so much fun to visit with all my family and of course, eat some home-cooked food. :) That evening we had Family Home Evening. We played a really fun game (it's name is escaping me at the moment, I apologize...). I love my family already!! 

Tuesday snapped me back into reality. I was in and out of the anatomy lab all day studying for my first lab quiz (which I took today) and had class all day. It was a stressful, busy day. Finally, I arrived home from campus late that evening, feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. However, my floor started a new tradition--Temple Tuesday! Me and 15 other girls from my floor went to the Provo Temple and did confirmations and baptisms (if you are curious about what I'm talking about, check out the "What I Believe" tab above). I had an incredible experience in the temple and felt so close to my Savior, Jesus Christ, and my Heavenly Father. I received much-needed answers my prayers and left late that night overcome with a calm, peaceful feeling that can only come from the love of Jesus Christ. I bear testimony to you that the temple is the House of the Lord and that God hears and answers each and every single prayer we utter. Don't ever doubt His endless love, mercy, and power and never give up on Him, because He will never give up on you. 

Sarah and I

Stover girls!! 

Hakuna matata,

Mallory

Rise and shout! The COUGARS are out!

Well it is a rainy and cool Saturday here in Provo. It is my kind of weather! I seriously cannot wait for fall! 

This was my first week of the fall semester! It was such a relief knowing that I'd never have to endure a FIRST day of college ever again, I already did that in the summer! I felt so much more comfortable making my way around the campus. 

I am taking History 201, American Heritage, Physical Science, PDBio 220 (Human Anatomy), and an Intro to Communication Disorders class! They are all a lot of work, but I really like all my professors and the subjects are all very interesting! 

Thursday night was the first BYU football game of the season!! It was so much fun finally watching as a student instead of just a fan. We played Washington State and won 30-6. It was so much fun. It was a great game and we had a great group watching together! 

 Paige, Sarah and I

Classic umbrella picture :)

Rise and shout! The COUGARS are out! 

Last night Sarah and I went out with some friends to Zupas  for dinner (so yummy) and Subzero for ice cream! Then we went to a beginning of the year campus party and did some dancing and played games! We came back to our lobby after that and played signs and the animal game. We seriously had too much fun! :) 

This morning I did some laundry and homework. This afternoon I ran some errands with Katie and Scott and we are going out to dinner tonight with a visiting aunt and uncle. Real food!! I am so excited! 

Hakuna matata,

Mallory 

New beginnings

Howdy! 

I know it has been a long time since I posted, I've just been super busy!! 

My last few days home were bittersweet. 

On Saturday we went to the temple grounds because some of my family wanted to see the Houston temple. It is such a beautiful place and I know that it truly is the house of the Lord. 

Katie, Seth and I 

Breathtaking! 

Saturday evening was Katie and Scott's open house. It was a beautiful night with great decorations, great food, and great company. I'll have to put up pictures later, I don't have access to them now! 

Lovely ladies and the bride!

I got to see this fabulous girl again, Angie!

Sunday was church. My friend Carlos is leaving on his mission so it was his farewell. They had a group of his close friends sing "Called to Serve" in Sacrament and I was privileged to do so! 

Monday my family and I went to Galveston and spent the day on the beach! We boogie-boarded, made sand castles, and got WAY too sunburned! But it was a lot of fun!

Excuse the squinty eyes and lack of make-up... but this was my sandcastle!

Tuesday I flew back to the great state of Utah with Katie and Scott.

We had matching snacks! So yummy!

Wednesday I moved into my new dorm and was reunited with my fabulous roommate, Sarah. We went to a social for our dorms that evening and had a lot of fun meeting new people. 

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were just crazy running errands and participating in New Student Orientation. There were activities in the evenings that we went to which were a lot of fun! 

Today was our first day of our new ward! I really like them and I cannot wait to get to know everyone! I taught a Sunday School lesson too! 

Tomorrow my fall classes begin! Although I'm a little nervous, I'm excited to get started again! 

Words of advice before school starts?

"My young brothers and sisters, don’t take counsel of your fears. Don’t say to yourselves, “I’m not wise enough, or I can’t apply myself sufficiently well to study this difficult subject or in this difficult field, so I shall choose the easier way.” I plead with you to tax your talent, and our Heavenly Father will make you equal to those decisions."

-Thomas S. Monson

If you are starting school, good luck! More posts to come.

Hakuna matata,

Mallory

It's always a good time

Greetings one and all! Let me fill you in on this week! 

On Wednesday I went out to lunch with my sister Allison and our good friend Ashley! After lunch we went shopping and got some ice cream! 

Me and Ashley

That night, I took my siblings out for ice cream! We went when my friend Alex was working. He scooped our ice cream for us and it was quite delicious! 

Thursday I went to lunch with my friend Emily and visited another good friend Jennifer since it was her birthday! That afternoon, my sister, her husband, my grandparents, and my aunt and uncle arrived for my sister's wedding reception here! It was so nice to play games and visit with everyone again! 

This morning we went to Brazos Bend State Park. We went on a really cool nature walk where we can see real alligators all around us! There are no fences, no cages; they are just out in their natural environment. It's super cool to see them hiding in the water and in the brush. 

There's an alligator creeping in the water! 

Up close and personal!

Besides the alligators, there are tons of birds, bugs (ew), and flowers.

Gorgeous colors

This was my favorite picture I took! It reminds me of Tangled flowers! <3 

Siblings! <3 

Alli and I

Tonight we are going out to dinner and tomorrow will be the reception for Katie and Scott! It's been so nice having everyone together again!! 

Hakuna matata!

Mallory

Feelin' crafty

As much as I love BYU, it sure is nice to be home! I am loving spending time with my family and friends and relaxing for a change!

I really missed my little sister, Allison! 

This weekend was Stake Conference so I had the opportunity to attend the adult session with my parents on Saturday night and the Sunday session with my family as well. I heard so many great talks and really felt the Spirit present at the meetings.

Yesterday I went on an Oh La La date with one of my very good friends Paige! It was so nice to catch up and fill her in on college life (she's headed up to BYU in the fall as well).

Today I wanted to try to make something I'd found on Pinterest. After raiding the craft store, I decided on this lovely earring holder made from a picture frame and some lace. 

I think it turned out pretty good! I documented the whole project if you want to give it a try! :)

What you'll need: 

1. A photo frame (the size is totally up to you, depends on how many earrings you want to store. I went with a 5x7)

2. Paint and a brush 

3. Lace ribbon (I have seen it done with doilies as well)

4. Even though it's not pictured, a hot glue gun

Start by painting the picture frame.

After it dries, flip it over to work on the back. Start by cutting strips of the lace ribbon to lay across the picture frame. Position them on the frame so you can get an idea of how it will look. 

Once you've got them set, you'll begin by hot gluing the ribbons on. Glue one end to the back of the picture frame. Once it cools, pull the ribbon very tightly to the other side. Keeping it taut, glue the other side as well. 

Continue to do that to each of the ribbons until they are all in place.

Allow all the glue to cool, and there you have it! 

It's that simple! And I think it's pretty cute!! 

Hakuna matata! 

Mallory