big hair cut

Well world, Big Linds got a hair cut. Bangs and all...
All that hard work in the second grade of growin those suckers out...haha
My beautiful cousin Allie cut it. She is the BEST!

best friends

So, I am in this Human development class...It is my favorite! It is a class for those people going into education or nursing, so I am in it with my roommate/best friend Christie and a TON of girls! haha (only a handful of boys in there- props to them)
Anyway... We are currently learning about the social development in children, and oh my word I loved the material we learned the other day! I'm gonna look really nerdy putting my notes on here- but stick with me world...

Relationships:

1. Influenced by past interactions and expectations for future interactions.

2. Closeness of relationship determined by:
A. Frequency and strength of influence
B. Diversity of influence across different behaviors
C. Length of time the relationship has endured.

3. Defined by emotions experienced within them

4. Commitment (to continuance)

5. Uniqueness
-How interchangeable the person/relationship is

6. Like larger social organizations, they include role differentiation, specialization, division of labor, sense of shared membership, and shared culture.
-Nicknames, inside jokes, special things/places, something you do JUST with them

Think about your best friends...I'm sure they fit into these categories.
I looked like the biggest nerd when I was taking notes that day...I just had the biggest smile on my face and would even start giggling occasionally!
It is so interesting to look at the relationships you've had throughout your life and how different they are with each person.
You can be in the same "group" and will have different specific things with each friend. It is so fun to really focus on what makes each relationship unique!

I am lucky enough to be able to say that I have quite a few best friends in my life. I am so grateful for the relationships i've made. I have the BEST best friends ever!
I honestly couldn't have asked for any better. I could go on forever on different things that make my friendships unique...but that would take forever...besides, you know what we do ;)

Oh, haha I'm retarded and cant figure out how i can post this....So here is a link to an awesome episode of the classic Saturday morning cartoon- Recess. :)
Enjoy! (oh come on, it's only 10 minutes)
Recess- "the break up"

college tour...wait... little late for that

Last weekend Christie and I made our trek up north to have what felt like a college tour!
First we dropped off our friend Jordan at Utah State and quickly said hi to Brooke and Abbey..
then were off to head up to Idaho State!

We didnt get there till around 10, and I was SO stinkin hungry I was in pain. So once we met up with Ellen we made a quick run to ihop. Then we got back and just sat and talked for a while- bueno! Missed my late night talks with Ell Bell. Christie even stayed awake the whole time! Monumental moment for sure.

So the next morning Ellen's awesome friend Cyndal made us a delicious breakfast, then Ell had to go get ready for her game. It was awesome getting to know Ellens good friend, I have heard a lot about her and she was a great girl! Want to get to know her more..
Anyway, Christie and I got ready for the day and then decided to look around campus and take pictures heheYeah...oops hehe
Good ol' Lola the Corolla worked so hard that weekend. Proud of my baby :)

Love that BengalAt the soccer stadiumWicked sweet blow-up bengal the team runs throughRoss the super-fan. Pretty much ISU wont ever need a mascot with this dude around. haha
He is hilarious. Wish I could have gotten a better picture of him.
Ell Bell about to sub in! Ellen is the one on the far right. hehe After the game went to Texas Roadhouse with her family, went to Walmart for some shoppin and then we met up with some boys to play ultimate frisbee! We could only play 3v3 but it was so much fun to finally play with my better half again!
That night Christie and I made our trip to Utah State to stay over at Brooke and Abbeys for the night. We visited Amy Hansen real quick and then went to Brookigails for the slumber. It was so fun to be with these girls again!
It was such a fun weekend to finally be with all of my best friends again! Even though it wasnt for very long, it was so worth it! I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Thanks for letting me spend some much needed time with you girls!
I miss ya like crazy!
Basically I have the BEST best friends ever!
Couldn't have picked better ones.

trip to idaho? ....why?

I can't tell you how many times I've heard
"but why would you go to Idaho for the weekend?"
Here's why...

Road trip to see my best friend Ellen with my best friends...are you kidding me?!
I'm way too excited for this weekend :)

(yes...we struggle taking pictures of all of us...we will work on it though ;) )

p.s. My roommate and I made a blog for our apartment.
If you want to see what us girls are up to down here you can go ahead and check it out!
http://horne52.blogspot.com/

Time for what you've all been waiting for...dang it

Yeah...it's almost been a month since this happened. But I was behind on posts and a little busy and well...not feeling like doin this post. (it's happened before)

But here it is world.
The "Russell-leaving-me post."

side note: You might notice that I added some new songs to my playlist...well blog, I added some songs that are just creepin my life..for instance Living In Your Letters. Hmm...interesting. Been my favorite for some time now.
But another song I added was mine and Russell's song from The Goofy Movie-
Nobody Else But You. (we say I'm Goofy and he is Max)
Love it. Check it out if you need a reminder of its goodness :)

Alright well...let's start this cry-fest.

I guess people see that it is hard for me to part with loved ones. I mean, the day Ellen moved I had 12 people ask me how I was holding up. (no exaggeration)
After Russell's "opportunity-to-speak-before-his-mission" they would congratulate him and wish him luck, and then come to me and comfort me.
His farewell was on our birthday. I'll be honest I completely forgot it was my birthday! I was only thinking about Russell and his talk.I was so nervous before! I sat in the front row by my girls because it was too crowded where my family was..and my girls pretty much just grabbed me and sat me by them. hehe Maybe because they could see my hands shaking, my eyes already filling up with tears, and were excited to see the rare sight of me crying...and crying hard. hehe
Really though, I could not hold still. The girls were there to try and calm me down though. During the sacrament I had to force myself to stop thinking about Russell and focus on the sacrament instead.
I cried the whole meeting dang it. Everytime I would look up at him, especially when he would look back. When the Calton's would talk about Russell and his incredible example, when they talked about my boys and how excited and ready they were for missions. When Russell stood up to speak, when he said anything-especially the words Mission and Germany. When he would get emotional and tear up talking about the gospel and his family. When my grandfather gave him mission advice, and pointed out how his family, friends and angel twin sister were supporting and loved him. Wow I had serious cry-face! I think I cried even more because I was so embarrassed of my cry-face. hehe Anyway, brother did an amazing job. I was/am so proud.

I had to go back down to Provo that night cuz I'm stinkin in college. But to be honest, I was home so much that it was weird being down there still. Tuesday afternoon I went back up to Murray for his setting apart. My grandfather got to set him apart. It was amazing, loved it. He was now ELDER Irion. Wow he was happy.

Well, that night he had the boys come over to say goodbye. Gosh that was hard to watch. We all just sat and talked for a while, but then it was getting late (for a missionary) and wow reader, watching best friends say goodbye was awful. Watching the boys cry and thank him and everything made me cry for sure. While they were doing their "mission goodbye rituals" Ellen happened to call. I had cry-voice and sounded funny but it was good to hear from her and know that she was thinking of me. (thanks again ell bell)We went inside and packed up a few things, and Russell got ready for bed. I couldn't leave his room. We talked and talked. Because he couldn't listen to music we started singing our song. I made him take a picture in a pose like in Saturday's Warrior (the twins do this-so whenever Russell would touch my leg I would quickly get into this pose and he would always get mad...not tonight :) hehe) We did our "simultaneous light switches" with the light and his lamp that we always used to do,
then we said "gute Nachtbruder" and "gute Nachtschwester" and I shut the door and
went over to Sam's to bawl.
The next morning I had to go to Provo cuz of class. I had to just meet up with the family at the Brick Oven for lunch. Russell didn't eat much- he was so anxious! We went down the street from my apartment to the MTC (can I just say how crazy that is?). We took the beloved pics in front of the MTC sign and in we went. Russ was so stoked he just wanted to get in there! We took the pictures in the front room and off we went to the dreaded "goodbye room"
I couldn't sing Called To Serve- too choked up. I couldn't look at Russell. I couldn't look at my mom. I could only look at the ceiling so my tears wouldn't come out. But wow could I NOT look at him saying goodbye to the family! I just had to sit in my own little world because I couldn't handle watching that, and also knew people were watching me too. I hugged him so tight and finally got the words "I love you. I'm so proud of you. I'm gonna miss you better half" out. He said "I love you too. Thanks for everything Linds. I'll miss you. Love you" and I had to let go so the others could hug him. Yes, I got another quick hug in there again..ahh I'm gonna miss those hugs. Then I stared as he smiled and walked away to the Missionary door.Overall I think I did a great job in there.. I got myself together by time we were in the hall. The fam came and hugged me and comforted me. But yeah, I did better than I was thinking I would do...so I was pleased. (p.s. That cute boy wore the tie I gave him for his birthday. love him)

I kinda just sat around for a while that day until Joe Tom and Christie took me out to dinner. They know how to cheer me up ;) But really, the next couple of days were fine. I think I was still in denial. I waved at the MTC when I drove to the temple down the street and when I drove home that Sunday. Luckily/Unluckily, it wasn't till Sunday when it really hit me and was real hard for me. Even though the whole family was there, I just sat in silence. I was missing MY spouse (everyone else has one..) I didn't even know where to sit at the table. haha It was just really weird for me to be there without him. It had finally hit me that he was gone.

This is uber long and I apologize world. So I will keep the conclusion short and sweet.
I love getting emails and letters- especially ones he sends to my apartment.
I am so proud of Elder Irion and know he will do an amazing job.
I am so grateful to have Russell as my better half.
I love and miss him with all that I am.
Most of all i'm grateful that "It's just our luck, we're stuck together.
Nobody else but you"

you know you're missed when...

I will admit, that it is pretty hard for me to go home now-a-days because Russell isn't there (I know I know, i'll post about that depression later ;) hehe).

I guess it's hardest when i'm home alone and just go take naps in his room, or just walk around the house.
But it is all worth it when my family and friends come over.

You know you're missed when "your boys" text or call you and see when you will be home next so you can play. I guess before Russell left I never really saw myself calling his buddies to hang out, but I would go crazy without them! We mostly talk about Russ or their upcoming missions, but I just love it. I love when they come over and say "is Russ just downstairs?" because they are joking of course, but I know it's hard for them too- I know they aren't just giving me a hard time. You know you're missed when you go to sunday school and the guys sit by you and visit the whole lesson (sorry dad). I love forgetting school and responsibility and just relaxing with my boys. You know you're missed when the boys ask when you will be home next and have to promise them that you will call them once ya get back and that you won't have a boyfriend while at college. hehe

You know you're missed when you surprise your friends that you're home and they scream and run up to hug you. When all you want to do is sit and talk and will be so content with life. When they show up wherever you are-even if it's awkward or lame. When your friends-and their families- want you to come visit whenever you can. When they hesitate to say "when will I see you next?" or "I'll see you in a few weeks" You know you're missed when they tear up when they see you, or when you have to say goodbye again. When they won't let go of a hug because we both don't want to go home.

You know you're missed when right when you open the front door you hear cheering. When your parents and sisters put their arms up and smile wide once they see you. When you don't have to do any chores around the house. When my mom was sad she couldn't sit by me at the Relief Society meeting and when you have to promise to sit by her at dinner after. When she kicks your sister out of "Lindsay's spot." You know you're missed when your older sisters don't mind when you follow them everywhere around the house. When they act really interested in what I have to say. When you are offered SO much of your favorite foods. When mom gets upset that we didn't get to hang out very much because of our busy schedules. Oh, and when Molly wags her tail a little extra for you.

You know you're missed when your nieces and nephews become an extra shadow. When they sprint to you to give bear hugs and never let go. When they say "every time I come over I hope you are home!" When they ask you time and time again to play this game or this activity. When you ask if you can go to a friends house and they say "can I come with you?!" You know you're missed when the kids say "goodbye! I love you! peace out, Love you!" over and over. When they give you just one more hug before you go. And after you let go they walk away and say "I just wish Lindsay didn't ever have to leave this house" (-tyler)

Thanks for making coming home so worth it! And making me feel not-so-alone.
I love you, I miss you, I want to hold you in my arms!

Movin Down South

Hard to believe that this is the new "home" (or as Thomas Calton says- fake home) But it has been really fun to be on my own with "my place" "my groceries" "my kitchen" weird. hehe I'm very grateful to be so close to home though. I can't imagine having to pack pretty much everything and not being able to go home for the weekend and grab what you forgot or what you need. Lucked out for sure. :) Anyway, I'm on campus at Heritage in Horne Hall (the E is silent alright? ;) hehe )
There's a pic of my crib. hehe Christie and I have matchy matchy beds thanks to our angels mothers. Funny story actually- our other roomates from Colorado (Katie) and California (Andrea) had matchy beds too! Some sort of awesome voodoo goin on there...Too bad Shalece and Kenzie didn't get the memo...
The first morning, Chrisite and I made ourselves some delicious parfaits for breakfast. Yes we are nerds and decorated them! hehe We had placemats and tucked our napkins into our shirts too...then our roomate Andrea walked in and thought we were bizarre!
I was in Murray for my birthday for Russell's farewell, but when I came back to my apartment this thing was on the outside of our apartment door! That came down quick hehe
My roomies also decorated the kitchen for me. They are so cute and thoughtful! Pleasant surprise for me :) Really though.. I love all of my roommates! They are all so cute, way easy to talk to, and we have a ton of fun! I'm so excited to learn more about them and get even closer.
That night we met our Family Home Evening group...this was their present to me. hehe They had secretly opened the fruit by the foot and wrote the message, then glued it back shut! I didn't even notice! eye on the prize my friend...hehe I'm so spoiled.

The "night crew" hehe almost every night Christie and I go clean up the kitchen and do whatever needs to be done. Our roomates probably think we are psycho...but hey, as far as Christie and I see it...they should be happy about it right?
We kept up the decorations and switched the LINDS on the wall to KENZIE because it was our roomates birthday a few days later. We had to switch it up a little though, so Shalece and I bought 28 balloons to fill up the kitchen. The funny part is that Shalece had to run to class...so I walked from the creamery to our apartment looking like this. This one girl tried not to stare, and I just laughed. Good experience :)

My first BYU game. Yes you better believe it was the game vs. UCLA! 59-0 Wow I think it was the best football game I've ever been to. Joe is convinced that I am goodluck. :) (Pics: above- me Christie, Shalece, Andrea. below- me, Joe, Parker, Tom)

Oh and yes....Cosmo! hehe What an awesome game! I lost my voice at that sucker.
Well world, I'll keep you posted on the fun stuff I do down here...mostly I just study and go to class...but we throw in some goodness in there every so often :) hehe