Triwizard Tournament

My family is awesome. 

We all loooove Harry Potter. 

About 4 years ago I started throwing Harry Potter Extraveganzas to encourage my cousins to read the books. It started out as a trivia competition. They were divided into houses, everyone dressed up, and it was a BLAST. 

Every year since then we have held a "Harry Potter Day"

Its been a lot of fun for me because I see my younger siblings and cousins getting excited about reading Harry Potter. 

This year was the 4th year, so naturally, we had a Triwizard Tournament

It was a little more low key than years past, but it was still a huge success:

Jazzy was sorted into Ravenclaw (The best house):


There was games for each of the tasks, and of coarse, butterbeer.

The winner of the Tournament: 

RAVENCLAW! (Obviously!)

 

Road trippin' buds and Idaho spuds

This last week was crazy. 

I have been struggling to find balance since coming home and starting school.

Between a new major, a new job, new roommates, 

and trying to stay up with new habits like scripture study, temple attendance,

staying social, getting good grades,

last week it all just sort of caught up with me. 

I was honestly a little worried when some of my mission friends suggested we go to Boise 

for Hna Boer's homecoming talk. 

The truth is, I knew Hna Boer, but not that well.

I worried that I would loose sleep, and come home feeling more stressed then when I left,

but my yellow personality just couldn't resist it. 

It seemed like the whole universe was against me going.

Lots of homework,

really tired,

scheduled to work

a test I was worried I wouldn't get done in time 

Dayna was born and Cristina got really sick

so on, and so forth

But Saturday morning we were Boise bound. 

I started the trip off joking (but also serious) that if you had told me a month ago (let alone on my mission) that one day I would have gone on a road trip with Hna Tippets  Elders Brackett, Fearn, 

Lundberg and  Burgeson,  I would have laughed. 

Most of them I barely even knew on my mission.

But out random, little group packed into the explorer and we were off. 

The next 48 hours flew by so quickly. 

We saw a little of this.

and way too much of this:

#breezycrack #dempantsdoe

We laughed. A LOT.

Good friend moves. 

Bad friend moves.

Deep talks.

Wilson recited poetry

Chismes. So much cheese.

And some of the most genuine compliments ever. 

Idaho was flatter and... uglier than I expected.

"I support that... you ungirdle those loins"

I literally almost stepped on this dogs head on the way down the stairs. 

A quality time with some quality people 

the farewell

I can't believe it's over.

My missionary farewell has come and gone.

What a whirlwind of a day.

Stayed up late, woke up early and was going and going and going

all day long. 

My talk was about the Plan of Salvation and the Atonement. 

I used a lot of really great material from The Continuous Atonement  and His Grace is Sufficient .

I was overwhelmed with love as so many people I loved came to say goodbye.

The Kirkby's came all the way from Las Vegas,

Road Runner came from Wyoming,

Mark, Emily, Sarah, Natilee, Grant, Jake, and Vanessa came from Idaho,

Charise flew in from North Carolina to surprise me,

And my Grandma and Grandpa Patterson flew in from Chile

Plus HUNDREDS of loved ones from work, college, high school, the ward and my entire life came to show their love. 

{The Danville Gang-minus Ariana}

{Ariana- who at the moment of this picture I didn't realize was ENGAGED!}

{Aspen/Amelia, and the ever attractive photo bomber Jolie/Christina} 

{Natilee and Sarah came down a day early to have a little bit of a "roommate reunion"} 

I had so much fun talking to everyone and feeling like a celebrity. 

I felt like I was constantly running around,  trying to socialize with everyone.

My mouth was so dry, and my stomach was begging for food,

but I had to keep socializing! (Like I'm complaining...)

I felt like I had almost everyone important to me all in one room,

and let me tell you- it was crowded.

I also got some pretty awesome video (bideo's) as going away presents:

Also- I found this youtube video, and I wish I could put the audio on my ipod

Thank you to my  parents, grandma's, aunts, cousins, and other family members for helping everything run smoothly-

Constantly washing dishes and dishing up Chicken Croissant sandwiches.

Thank you to all who travel near and far far FAR! 

Thanks for the advice.

Thanks for the gifts!

Thanks for the well wishes and prayers in my behalf. 

I am one blessed girl. 

Schow.

This news is a few days late, but for the sake of posterity .... My baby sister is engaged!

Could they be a more attractive couple? I think not.

By the time I am home a EXPECT at least one baby Schow to hold. (They may or may not have promised me.... Okay fine, they didn't. )

Welcome to the fam C.K.

#bringtheworldhistruth

So, basically, I'm obsessed with Sister Missionaries right now.....

On Thursday, I was invited by one of my favorite people, Kalli Rae (Perth, Australia), to join a group on facebook called

"Many are called.... few are sisters"

and the moment I realized what it was, I was ADDICTED.

The group is basically as many future sister missionaries finding each other on facebook as possible. We all post where we are serving and when you leave, so that you can find other Sisters going to your same mission on facebook and connect.

(so far, I have found 3 other Hermana's going to Costa Rica!)

We also give each other ideas on shoes selection, good skirts to buy for bikes, 

so on, and so forth...

Then someone had a MARVELOUS IDEA:

So.... they did: 

We sisters in Rexburg were pretty jealous,

 so me and my friend Maddie (Malaga, Spain) decided to do one ourselves in Rexburg: 

So with two days to plan, we posted stuff all over Facebook.

We made announcements in class.

Went door to door.

and did everything we could to get the word out.

But even with all out hard work, we were worried about our turn out. 

So at noon today, we showed up to the Rexburg temple,

praying that others would join us

And CHECK IT!

They did:

And my personal favorite: 

I couldn't have been happier. In the midst of the craziest time of the semester (finals) all of these beautiful future sister missionaries took time out of their schedules to come together.

I could have cried with joy.

"Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world.... will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different- in happy ways- from the women of the world. Thus it will be that the female exemplars of the church will be a significant force in both the numerical and spiritual growth of the Church in the last days." (Spencer W. Kimball- Ensign, November 1979) 

Thank you so much to Michelle Fowler Photography for her service! Check out her Facebook page, she is so talented! 

Happiness is... running my first 5k

This letter:

Running my first 5K!

chips and dips

short work days

taking care of business

rain instead of snow

Being praised for the way you handled something, when you thought you might get yelled at

Have enough energy to make it through 20 hour day

My little baby Christmas tree

One more week in Rexburg

Costa Rican Colones (Thanks Jake Robbins!)

Sister Missionary Facebook Groups

#bringtheworldhistruth

Hot soup after a cold day outside

Better turn outs then you imagined

Happiness is..... being grateful

Mom buying me Cafe Rio!
The greatest babble necklace around!
Getting all my homework done
Going to Vegas
Having the best family ever
2nd Annual Harry Potter Extravaganza

Listening the greatest book
going for walks
The yummiest Thanksgiving feast EVER!
Being so grateful
Learning from trials
Being considered "Adult"
Totally got this for FREE! 

Getting door bell ditched at 9pm to find balloons, this banner, and little Costa Rican flags in the lawn:

Finally getting home. (I've been gone a long time!)

No longer living out of a suit case!

Workin' on my fitness

Cutie Clemintines (Yea.... I may or may not have ate an entire bunch in two days....)

Zumba (BEST EXERCISE EVER! GO DO IT!)

Running faster and longer than ever. 

I'm not usually a Tswift fan, but this song was the best to Zumba to EVER. 

Candle light bubble baths 

And just in case you thought I couldn't do the Gangnam Style:

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Princess Yessica

This is a list of quotes that my roommate Jessica has said to me at random times during the semester: 

Me:"I'm trying to be like Jesus, okay?"

Jessica: "Well I'm not!......"

"He is like super Asian"

*Watching TV*
Jessica: "Oh my gosh, did you see that?"
*I look up from my computer*
Me: "Um... No... what?"
Jessica: "JOE JONAS IS GOING TO BE ON THIS EPISODE!"
*Jessica begins to flail her arms and her entire body around on the couch*

Jessica: "I WANT TO  BE BLOGSPOT FAMOUS!"

A voice mail I received from Jessica on 10/17/12:
"You called me earlier, so I am calling you back, but you didn't answer..... You swine." *click*

 A voice mail I received from Jessica on 10/22/12:
"Hi this is Jessic....... Hello this is Jessica, my number is 3-...... What the h***?!?!"

*In response to me telling her to tell me a bed time story*
"Once upon a time there was a little baby boy named Jesus. And he was born in Bethlehem and then he moved to Nazareth. And that's why they say that he is from there. The end."

"THAT'S NOT FUNNY! HURRICANES ARE NOT FUNNY!"

"You could get pelvic thrusted"

*Please sing the following to the spider man theme*
"Baby butts, baby butts.... it smells good like baby butts."

Jessica "I'm sad......"
Everyone one too busy to take notice
Jessica: " I SAID that i'm sad!"
Me: "Oh, what happened princess?"
Jessica: "All my donuts are gone."

Jessica: "I better not be missing any Joe Jonas right now."
Me: "You're not."
Jessica: "Better not... or else...."

 "I really like when people 'UH' at the ends of words....
....I'm KIDDINGUH!"

"It's not mine whose humor has gone dry, it's yours."

"YOU CAN'T USE THE BATHROOM! It is FORBIDDEN!"

Her favorite video ever:

"

Happiness is... Costa Rica

Busy days to make time speed up!

"Family" Dinners with the bro's. 

Flour fights for FHE

Linda letting me borrow Oliver for the Carpool lane
Having lots of family over for the big announcement
Getting called to COSTA RICA!
Going to chili's with the siblings
Being unhealthily lazy
Having the highest blogging stat's yet... (are you all coming back?)
This BRIGHT pink shirt! (put some shades on)
Watching Dr. Who again

Jolie's fabulous red lipstick
Sister Missionary mall
Shopping for Sister missionary clothes
Texas Roadhouse and feeling like this:

My best friend is finally ENGAGED!
And she told me before facebook knew!
Chocolate covered raisens first thing in the morning

They called me on a mission!

Yesterday, a VERY  important envelope came in the mail

Before you scroll down, please watch the following video to see what happened when I opened the envelope:

COSTA RICA, SAN JOSE! 

People! I have LITERALLY been called to paradise! 

This is the PERFECT mission for me!

Spanish speaking!

Warm weather!

Latin America!

...The Lord is the BEST! 

I am just so happy right now! 

And I guess we can add one more name to the list: "Hermana".