People

It is so amazing how you can be at the right place at the right time. One of the greatest blessings to me right now are my roommates. I think that I am supposed to be living where I am at right now. I think that relationships with other people are one of the most beautiful things. People are important. They are more important than science, animals, possessions, and money. People are important. I am just so intrigued by them. So often at college I find myself looking around at individual people and getting curious about them. Why do they act the way they do? Why are they the way they are. Everyone carries a story with them. We have no idea what is behind the masks that people wear. I guess that's one reason why I love working with mentally handicapped kids so much. I love learning about why they act the way they do. It is so fascinating. When we learn why people act the way they do we know how to treat them. I think that that is so important, to treat people how they need to be treated. To be sensitive to their specific needs and desires. 
We are surrounded by people, every day. Get to know them. Make an effort to reach out to someone who looks like they are having a bad day. Talk to someone new. Look for opportunities to help others. You never know when something simple you do can mean the world to someone that day. Love them. Make them a priority. 
Love,
Abby

 Almost the whole fam :)Miss you so much Mom. 

 Absolutely love them

Me, and 3 of my roommates: Kira, Sarah, and Lauren. 

Counting Sheep

So basically I am getting really tired (get it) of not being able to sleep. I have tried a bunch of different things including melatonin, listening to the sound of rain on youtube, and reading to help me sleep. Yet I still end up waking up multiple times during the night. I guess there are worse things but I really just want to have a good night's sleep! It's been a while! So if any of you have any suggestions for someone sleepless in Provo I am open. Other than that I have been doing pretty good. I have been very blessed with so many things while here including skype, cousins and a loving aunt and uncle, and being able to be at such an amazing campus. But I would like to get some sleep!
Love,

Abby

Blessed

Today and last night I have felt so very blessed. I just feel so filled with gratitude. The past few days I have been so stressed and emotional and last night I felt like I finally couldn't take it anymore. It was hard for me to even focus on doing my reading for my American Heritage class I was so stressed. At this hard time I had roommates that I have only known for a few days being so loving and compassionate and talking to me, a loving aunt and cousin come visit me, and a good friend come over that brought me the greatest comfort over all. I know that the Lord watches out for us. That His tender mercies are over all who come to him and put forth faith and effort. He knows our problems and concerns and knows how to bring us comfort if we but come to Him first. He cares about us more than we know and loves us. I now feel such a sweet and tender peace and the love from my Heavenly Father. It is so amazing to me. 
Love,
Abby

Time Truly Does Heal and then some

 Frame that I painted and decorated (picture is of my niece Annika)

 Flowers made from Keenan's old t-shirt. I tea dyed some and used geraniums and beets for the others.

As I was driving yesterday I was thinking about how time really does heal emotional wounds. It's amazing how I can look at myself now and see how much I have healed from losing my mom. I am so much stronger. As time goes by you just kind of get better and better, learning little by little. When trials hit, you aren't always so sure how exactly you are going to handle them. But if you simply wait it out you can find that the load gets easier in a way. I have found that it is so important to talk to others through your trials. If you don't it's like you are trapping a beast inside of you. Talking and writing things out are so often an emotional release for me. I have also found that by reading my scriptures each day I am just stronger in dealing with the pain. I think about her and miss her each day but I believe that one day I can see her again and that this was made possible through my Lord and Savior. I'm not giving up, I'm going to keep going. That's what she wants me to do and that's what I want to do. Life is too short to be unhappy and miserable about something for too long. Anyways, we don't want to be "a bunch of losers" as mom would say.
Love you mom
Love,
Abby

Missing

My favorite picture of me and my mom from my last high school play

Lately there are a couple things that I miss a lot about my mom. The first thing may seem kind of silly, foolish or vain but I miss it anyway. I miss how my mom would buy me things. She loved buying me things. Whether it was off the internet or at the store. And no one can do that the same. 
The second thing that I miss is the incredible advice she would give. It didn't matter if she was trying to take a nap or feeling so sick, she loved to give me advice. She told me that I could tell her anything. Sometimes she would just know that something was wrong with me and usually I would go hide in my room. Then she would knock on my door or just come in and she would ask me what was up. It didn't matter if it was a little problem or a big problem. Each problem that I had was so important to her. She just always knew what to say and her words were just configured in a way that was so great. I just wish that I could tell her about the special ed kids that I work with and ask her for advice with them. I just know that she would know how to solve about every problem I had with them. She would tell me how to deal with Eli running off on me and what to do when Freddy told me "no" all the time. She would teach me how to love them no matter what.
I miss her touch. Mom was always so touchy feely and I miss the feel of her hand on my arm or the wonderful hugs she gave. But I am so grateful that one day I can see her beautiful face again and feel of her sweet and completely loving touch. I can't wait to see her the way I knew my mom to be-happy, healthy, and energetic. I am so grateful for the Plan of Salvation that I believe in and for the strength that it gives me. I know that the Savior lives and loves me and that there is a way for me to get where my mom is. I love her and can't wait to see her.
Love you mom
Love,
Abby

{Whole Wheat Doughnuts}

This is the Sunday treat I made today. I seriously ate like 10 or 12. But they are healthy with their whole wheat, olive oil & pumpkin right :) Here is the link: http://www.texanerin.com/2011/10/100-whole-grain-baked-pumpkin-doughnuts.html

 These ones I glazed with blueberry sauce (courtesy to Aunt Christie) and topped off with powdered sugar.

 These ones are with the buttermilk glaze that was with the recipe (I liked this better).

YUM! I have missed baking because so many people have been bringing us yummy treats. So glad to get back in the kitchen. 

My Creations for a Cutie (My niece Annika)

                                        A onesie that I sewed on a heart to

                                                                Cupcake clip :)

                                                                         Fish Clip

                                                               And a flower Clip