2 more days....2 more days...

December 1st people! Mark your calendar! That's when the wreaths, lights, bows, trees, ornaments, nativity scenes, stockings and everything goes up at the Hall House! *party dance. party dance. party dance*

It's when we eat our hearts out with mint kisses, mint M&M's, pretzels, and egg nog and sprite! *shoulder party dance*

It's when we pull out the Christmas music and listen to HARRY CONICK JR (*P-A-R-T-Y DANCE!*), Amy Grant, Kenny G, R&B CHRISTMAS (*hip dance*), the Chipmunks, David Archuleta (yes, I'm making sure we listen to his christmas album. Brothers, be warned), and probably some James Galaway! And we dance around as we steal an M&M, snatch an ornament, and hang it on the already crowded tree. 

Nothing is better than Christmas time. I even love the cheesy Halmark Christmas movies....guilty pleasure, ya know? 

(Non LED) Christmas lights just make me happy. 

Thought: If anyone wants to go up to City Creek at night....it's beautiful. I would definitely go with you. I ran through it quickly last night on my way to the BYU game and I just wanted to sit there and enjoy the view. Beautiful! And Simple simple simple. 

White and yellow lights...? I love it. It's just classy. 

So if anyone wants to just go enjoy a cup of hot cocoa and sit and stare...I'll be your company.
Also. At Yogurt land this week there is a Peppermint Hot Cocoa flavor...tastes just like it. It's great. 

Confession: Yesterday I woke up with a David Archuleta Christmas song stuck in my head...and I had a breakdown and listened to the album with him and the Tab Choir. I couldn't help it. He's an angel. 

Faith

I don't like growing up.

Growing up means people you know die.
People your age that shouldn't die, but do.


It's a good thing I have the gospel in my life otherwise I don't know what I would do.


Something that tests my faith is when those who pass away do so in some sort of accident - not just of sickness or old age. Those unexpected deaths. Especially when they are young.

But I'm happy to report that it strengthens my faith in the end as well. Everything happens for a reason and I'm glad I have the gospel and know of the amazing power of the Atonement.



I just have to have faith.

Photoshopping.

While in Rexburg I got a little bored when Nat was in class or had stuff to do. So. I just hung out with Christian Bale. No biggie.

 

We went to the Gardens and hung out on the porch swing.

Then we went to some island and took some more pictures...and added some random words to the pictures....(Nat and I were going to go to Zumba). Christian often has the same pose when I take pictures of him.

I do often look at this picture. He is a very fine looking man. 

Then Nat and I took a picture after she was done with school stuff. Wait...Me and Nat...Nat and I...which is which???? 

Who would have thought Christian Bale would be in Rexburg, eh? 

Pictures of Christian Bale from Google Images. 

It's Rexburg, Baby.

This weekend I road tripped it up to Rexburg to visit Natalie (sister), Sarah (friend), and Jenika (friend). The drive consisted of me (the writer of this blog), Jessica (friend), Christian (brother), Amanda (friend), and Casidee (friend). Alright, now that you know who everyone is there will no longer be parenthesis.

Jess and I on the way up!

Can I tell you something? Make sure you go to the bathroom before you go on a road trip with Amanda, or you will  pee your pants. I had a headache from laughing and crying so much on the way up. She will keep you entertained the whole way, so don't even worry about having a long boring car ride. And yes, I had gone to the bathroom before I left. But I had to go really bad when I finally got up to BYU-I.


Saturday Jess and I went to visit Sarah! (woot woot!) We went and got lunch and then had nothing to do so we went to the gardens there.

I can only imagine what it looks like in the summer and spring! Since I had my camera, and a place, I decided to do some pictures with the girls.

It was a party. I may post more of the pictures...there were some funny ones :)

Later that night we had a game night at Natalie's with some of her roommates and friends. It was way fun. Sunday we went to the Boise Idaho temple dedication. Loved it. I love President Monson.

Then we came back to Natalie's and had some waffles for brunch! Then we played ligretto (2nd place baby). Aaaand then it was time for Jess and Christian to go! I'm staying up here until Wednesday morning; that's when Natalie and I are driving back. 

Tonight I get to see Jen! SUPER excited! Even though we will see each other this week cause we are partying hard with some people. :D

Rexburg, it's been fun. Glad I came. 

Feelin' like a Kid Again

The past couple of years I haven't been all that excited for Christmas or Thanksgiving. It was just kind of a "okay, this will be fun" attitude. It wasn't anything like it was when I was a kid where I was stoked.


This year, however, I'm stoked. Whenever I think about Christmas or Thanksgiving I get a little giddy inside and can't help but smile!


There are two reasons that I've come up with as to why, this year, I suddenly can't wait for these holidays.


1. Living away from home and being at college. It just makes you more appreciative of the time with your family. And I get to spend lots and lots of time with my family during the holidays (I do normally, but this is even more)! We do Thanksgiving day (obviously) where we spend the whole day together. We play basketball in the morning, have a little snack time around noon, then eat our faces out in the afternoon! And then usually, while others go home or to in-laws, some will stick around and we will watch a movie. This year I'm hoping for 7 Brides for 7 Brothers....(anyone with me on that?) Then during December we having cookie decorating, if we can some of us drive around to see the Christmas lights, we have game nights (I haven't had one of those in a long time, so I'm looking forward to all the games people), caroling on the 3rd Sunday, fighting over and getting the Christmas tree on the 1st of December (or the Saturday closest to it), and then whatever else we decide to squeeze in there! Oh, and Temple Square (this needs to be a MUST this year).  Family family family.

2. And now for reason numero dos. This year I am more thankful for Thanksgiving, and more thoughtful when it comes to Christmas. Within the past month and half, the gospel has been a HUGE part of my life and has had an amazing impact. I've been studying the scriptures and have been trying to get the most out of it I can. I've had questions that I ask and books that I read and talks that have been such a blessing to me! I've recently really starting focusing on prayer and have actually been talking to my Heavenly Father. I have realized a part of the power of the Atonement - which is SO amazing. I'm excited to learn more about It.
      This year when I think of Thanksgiving I think of the Thanksgiving hymns, and have come to absolutely love them! I think about what I am grateful for, not just the food and fun. When I think about Christmas I think of Christ's birth and His big impact on my life before I think about presents. And I am more excited about the songs that we get to sing about Christ's birth than I am for The Chipmunk Song.
       Seriously, I can't believe how much the gospel has been an impact in my life. It makes me happy!  I wish I could tell you everything that has happened since that missionary announcement, which made me truly want to know the gospel!

{kind of random side note}
Being at a school where you say opening prayers before class, where you can have a gospel discussion about the subject you're learning, where you can put a scripture in your paper (which yes, I did) and where there are good influences all around you, is one of the biggest blessings of my life. I wish everyone could come to BYU.

{back to the point of this post}
Next year I won't be here for these holidays (crazy!). I will be serving somewhere and having a great experience. As far as the next next year (2014) I hope I get home for Thanksgiving...if not that's still okay but I'm hoping for it! :D

And that is why I'm ecstatic about the holidays!!!!!

IRON MAN!

What a stud.

Hm.

Sydney's post for today.



That is all.

I VOTED!

because I can. That's what's up.

I also worked out right before this picture. That's also what's up.


I'm feeling productive today. I guess I should go study now.

My Theme Song at the Moment:

Dreams Are a Strange Thing

A couple nights ago I had a dream. In this dream I received my mission call and I was so stoked to open it. My whole family was there and I was freaking out. Then I opened it. And this is what I read (obviously I can't remember it word for word...but you get the point):

Sister Hall,

We were going to call you to New York or Missouri, but it just didn't work out. It didn't feel right. So you have been called to serve in Taiwan. 

I freaked out and had a heart attack and thought how strange it was that they told me where they were thinking. It felt so real. Then I woke up.

When I woke up I really had my mission call. It was a situation similar to the previous, where all my family was around. I opened it and it was written as the normal missionary letter is written but this time I was called to Yakima, Washington. What?! I did not enjoy that very much. I cried. This was SO real. But then I woke up. For reals this time. 

 Talk about an emotional roller coaster for a dream. It was freaking me out all that morning.

P.s. I will serve wherever the Lord wants me to serve. I have no doubt in my mind I will go to where I'm supposed to. I love this gospel :D

It's Friday

I should be doing homework.

But I'm one who believes in the weekend and in breaks.




                                              They aren't meant for homework.

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Now for a picture. I often do some photoshopping on pictures, and they will be in color. I usually like it alright, sometimes I really like it. Then I think to myself "hey. Let's try black and white" and suddenly the color becomes ugly and dull. What??? The color one is dull? Yeah.

Often times I add warmth to the black and white one as well and I like that even more. Even if I'm trying SUPER DUPER hard to stick with black and white. Black and white. Pure black and white. And yet, I often add that warmth to the picture anyway.

Here is an example of a color one I like alright (definitely not my best):

Then there is the black and white one.

I can't get over it. I like the black and white better. SO much better. Even though the cat really blends into her clothes more so than the color and the bar from the grill is still sticking out of her head. So yeah

I resisted the urge to add some warmth to this picture. I will put up another example of that sometime.


Here is my conclusion. Black and white pictures of people are really my absolute favorite. Landscapes and such? Color (because it's all about the color, ya know?)



                  Peace out.