Getting back in the Groove

First week back to school? Check.
About ready to pull my hair out? Check.
Already lacking a tremendous amount of sleep? Check. Check. Check.

In such a short time my nights went from this:
(don't mind the poor quality from my photo booth)

Blissful nights, lying in bed, watching movie after movie.

to this:

Freaking out about school, books, studying, tests. Ahhh

School came and pounded on me hard.  It was a bit of a rude awakening to my summer of bliss.  (Would you call 3 summer school classes, hardly any swimming, and hardly any trips out of the AZ Summer Heat bliss though?) I sure would! I enjoyed this summer. I got things done.  I often feel I could have done so much more.. but I stayed busy.  Through the ups and downs, it was overall a great summer.

So when school came, I freeeeaaaked out.  I was so nervous, not knowing if I could handle all the pressure.   But today was a different story.  Today I felt stress-free!  I feel so motivated and excited.  Things that I have been so super stressed over for months now.. I'm finally just excited about.  I can't wait for these next few weeks.

I don't know exactly what it was that changed my attitude.

Maybe it was the 5 hour orientation today.  

Maybe it was the cloudiness and rain I saw out the window during breaks at school.  

Maybe it was the fact that John Mayer was playing in my car today.  

Maybe its because my car didn't read over 95 degrees outside..

Maybe it was because I ate a big bowl of Blueberry Mini Wheats for breakfast this morning. (High in fiber and antioxidants.. can't get much better than that!)  

Maybe it was because I got a grand total of 8 hours of sleep last night.  

Maybe it was all the C.S. Lewis quotes I read last night.

I still can't put my finger on it.  But I don't think it comes down to just one thing.  It's a combination.  It's the perception I allowed myself to have today.  I didn't feel bogged down at all today.  Things are working out.  Things are coming together.  That's what happens when you give yourself some time to adjust.  That's what happens when you trust, relax, and enjoy.

And to top it all off, I went for a great run this evening.  It was probably in the low 90's and there was such a nice breeze.  And ohhhh the Arizona sunset. So beautiful.


My challenge to you:  Take a different view on something. Anything.  Change your way of thinking.

And see what happens!  Your whole world could change.  Mine has already started to.  Today felt like a fresh start on life.  Funny how that can happen.  After being so worried and so stressed and so nervous.  I feel fine! I feel great. I feel happy.  I am happy.

I love school. ♥ 

Just one of the many treasures I found last night:

"My own eyes are not enough for me; I will see through those of others."
— C.S. Lewis

Change is in the Air

As summer school has finally come to an end, I am trying to stay focused and make the most out of the next two weeks.  I am trying to make all of my time count as I know I will be a stranger to this world as the new semester begins.

This weekend I went to Sierra Vista, AZ with my cousin and aunt.  The main reason for the trip was for a funeral on Saturday.  I had only met this young man a couple times, but I really felt the need to go to show my love and support.  He was only 22 when he passed away.  His and his family's story is quite the heart-wrenching one.  They have all been through so much.  What wonderful examples they are to me. The funeral service was very nice.  One could not be there without feeling so much love. I honestly felt a renewing and revitalization of what I need to do with my life and my testimony of the Gospel was strengthened.  What matters most in this life? Family. I am a firm believer in that.  Also, being the best you can be at all times.  I was very touched during the speaker's talks.  I could go on and on.  Just know that there was a great spirit there and that we should all remember to love with all our hearts, be happy, know why you are so happy, and share it with others.  Even if that happiness is just shared through your example and the way you live your life. You can touch other people's lives without even knowing it.

Being in Sierra Vista, I was also able to spend a lot of time with my oldest sister Jill.  She has four beautiful kids and they are so much fun!  I went back and forth between my cousins house to my sisters, but I think I ended up spending most of my nights (and a lot of time during the day) at her house.  And I am so glad I did!!  It was so great to spend more time with her family.  Here is a sneak peek of them.  Click here.  I am speechless when I watch this. So beautiful.

If you think those pictures are good, just get to know their personalities.  They are the greatest.  My niece Lucy, (the five year old with the best bright red hair you've ever seen) was being a little stinker one day.  So I told her, "Luce you're a stinker!" She replied, "Well you're a smeller!" How could a little mind come up with such a thing?! She is so clever.

I went with my sister Jill to pick them up from school on Friday (my surprise visit to them).  Seeing my oldest nephew's face light up when he saw me and scream, "JoJo!!" absolutely made my day! Then we went into Lucy's classroom to get her.  We see her sitting at her table waiting patiently and watching other kids play.  I had a little flashback of when I was in kindergarten! I went and knelt beside her and said, "Hi Lucy!" with a big smile.  She gave me a hug not thinking anything of it at first. Then realized it was me and gave me a big squeeze.  She likes to have little hugging competitions, of who can squeeze the tightest.  We both win. :)

Abigail has a mind of her own as well.  She likes to chase her older siblings around the house.  Sam and Lucy love it.  They could do that for hourssss and hours.  She loves to do the dishes too.  Just being involved with everyone and in the mix of it all is what makes her happy.  One night I was watching them while Jill and Marcus went out on a date.  Abby pulled on my hand and said "Sit! Sit!" She just wanted me to sit with her and watch the movie.  I was gonna go in the kitchen and clean up, but she just wanted me.  :) I love being an aunt!!

Henry is the happiest baby.  Jill and I had just gotten back from shopping at Marshalls, the kids were all asleep (Marcus is a champ!), and Marcus was leaving for work.  Jill needed to get groceries, so I held down the fort in case any of them should wake up.  Not fifteen minutes after she was gone, I hear Henry's sweet cry.  I gave Jill a call because we both knew he was hungry and I sure couldn't help in that area.  For the next 40 minutes I just held and rocked him.  He calmed down after a short while and even though he was probably so frustrated he hadn't been fed yet, he made the sweetest faces to me.  I could feel his calm, happy temperament bursting through his skin.

I love those kids!! They are growing up so fast!  Ah I miss them so much. Sam, Lucy, Abigail, Henry you are forever loved by your Aunt JoJo!!

And lastly, Sam.  Sam is a stud.  He turned 7 last month.  He is so smart and a great big brother. He loves to make the little ones laugh.  When I was telling him goodbye, I went into his room to tell him how much I loved him.  I told him I'll love him forever.  To the moon and back and back and back.  He asked me, "Past the planets and worlds?" I said, "Past all the galaxies and back." He said, "Wow, that's a lot." 


I have this thing with my nieces and nephews where we go back and forth to say how much we love each other.  With my brother's kids too. We say things like, "I love you higher than the trees." "I love you bigger than an elephant."  "I love you taller than the mountains."  And etc.  It all stems from this book:

Buy one here!

Haven't read it? You should. It's a great one! One of our family favorites.



So after this weekend I have really felt and let it sink in that change is in the air.  Unexpectedly, cancer can enter someone's body and change their life forever, kids grow up so fast and change in the blink of an eye.  Life is moving fast.  So fast.  The Summer of 2010 is over.  2010?!  Aren't we suppose to be flying cars by now??  At least that's what I always thought when I was in Kindergarten :)

Bring on the change.  Bring on the struggles.  Bring on the adventures!  Bring on the love.  Bring on the challenge.  Bring on the excitement!  Bring on the studying... Bring it onnnn!!!