in the year two thousand and eleven

This year was full of a lot of things that surprised me and made me better. I enjoyed it. Some things I've learned :

-I can go to college and pass. Yay! I really am picturig people standing and clapping their hands til they feel like hot plates. I'm sorry, but,getting through my first semester of college was and is an accomplishment.

-My family makes me happy and annoyed and most the time, dellusional. But my heart is just too attached for me to ever not love them. What would I ever do without my hilarious family?

-I know with my whole heart that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true! I know who I am and I know God's plan. I have complete intentions of choosing the right. I love this Gospel too much to ever slip away.

-My job is wonderful. I love working with my team. If you want some sass, some asian, and some really great talks about relationships... just come to the 4 o'clock shift.

-Along with my job, I've talked with people who are struggling.It breaks my heart when I hear them tell me about their sad situations. My heart just hurts for them. I have cried many times over their situations when I'm in my car on the way home. Sometimes it is really hard for me because every single part of me wants those people to feel Heavenly Father's love for them so much, they can't even stand it. I did feel like I couldn't do anything, but then I remembered prayer. I know the power of prayer is real. I don't know if that one man found the missionaries for help with some Christmas presents for his children. I don't know if the kind lady with the accent found hope in the Gospel during the time of discovering she had cancer, or the man who felt he had to bear all of his trials alone has found hope in the love of the Savior. But there is something I do know. I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers and so I have faith that I can help in some little way.

-Bronte and Tori are wonderful friends. I am so grateful for the example they set for me. I am so grateful for our chats on the phone. I love the talks over the phone that end in excitement. I could never ask for better friends. Heavenly Father knows I need them. I am sure that we were great friends in the pre-existence.

-Jessica, Bailey and Raquel are my great roomies. There is never a dull moment in my house. I love them and their sweet spirits. I am grateful for the late night talks, laughing way too much and the loud toothbrushes. We have such a grand old time. haha... oh the moments in G421. NEVER a snooze.

-I love English.

-Old Television is my chocolate truffle.

-I love being with my grandparents. I love my extended family. I love family parties.

Happy New Year! Cheers!

love, Maddie Violet

Christmas Events

First of all, Christmas day was wonderful. I got ready and went with my mom and brother to church. It was so lovely and it really brought the focus of Christ's birth. The meeting was basically everyone singing Christmas hymns and you could really feel the spirit.

Santa brought me some cute things. I am one lucky girl. Here are a few of my favorite things (received from Santa #1 and Santa #2):
-Fossil Purse
-String of pearls from Macy's on 34th street NY
-Fossil backpack
-Pearl earrings
-Anthropologie clothing
-MY FAVORITE ..... Ray Bans. I did cry when I opened them. Who knew getting sunglasses could be that amazing?

Christmas has been absolutely wonderful this year. I have loved every second with my family and friends! I know that Jesus is the Son of God and that he was born into this world to save us. I am so grateful for His example and I know He lives!

love, Maddie Violet

kick that fat to the curb *hand out like a stop sign* ; i'm that cool

change.

This led me to letting Bridger act as a personal trainer.

I haven't worked out that hard in a LONG time and I needed it.

Things I yelled out were, "I hate you!" and "Shut up! Just shut up!"

This sweaty body needs a hot shower and a comfy bed. [tmi. sorry.]

Soon this body won't be sweating because of fat, but because it'll be so hot, yo mommas will be jealous. I can't believe I actually just typed that, but I did.

All the while of working my big butt off, I pictured a cute dress, long hair, white teeth and a handsome MAN. Yes, a MAN not a boy.

love, Maddie Violet
p.s. bronte, jessica, bailey, and especially raquel would be proud.

Am I blind?!

In my apartment, my bed is against the north wall and in my mothers condo, my bed is against the south wall. When I sleep at my house, my face is out away from the wall and at mothers, my face is toward the wall.

Over the break I am sleeping at mothers. The other night I woke up and my face was one inch away from the wall. Promptly, I thought I was blind. The only thing I could see was the blank wall and I thought, "Oh my. I've gone blind!!! I've gone blind!!!" I continued to rub my eyes and stare at the wall. Then I rolled over to realize that I hadn't gone blind after all.... wow. Talk about being disoriented. Funny funny. I mean, who wakes up in the night and thinks they've gone blind?!

I went to Old Navy the other night and saw Kate Ladd. That girl is about the cutest thing there. I think she was wearing mustache keds and if she was, that just makes her more wonderful.

I have not seen my friends in SO long! Never in my whole life have I been so excited to see my dear, dear friends.

Well, tomorrow I've got a story about an Olive Garden cup. I can't share all the goodness in one post. And some exciting news... I am finally getting my hair cut tomorrow! Hallelujah!

love, Maddie Violet

p.s. have you ever thought you went blind? My mom thought she forgot to put pants on the other day.... and THESE are the days of our lives.

the morning where you wake up and say it's going to be a good day...

And then you walk out to a completely flat tire. Yep, there's my life in a nutshell. It actually turned out okay though.

Today that happened to me, but I have to best mother in the world who drove from PG to Orem to take me to school and Libby who was so wonderful to pick me up from school today. I am so grateful to live near family. I don't know what I would do if they weren't so close.

On the bright end of the spectrum, (wow, that's an astronomy word which makes this a little proud moment.... anyway...) I am finishing up a research paper about Julie & Julia. I don't mind doing research on it because it's something I enjoy and I've learned so much about my writing process. I have hit a wall during my research, but Diet Coke and chocolate covered cinnamon bears put me into focus again.
My apartment is so cute and totally decked out in Christmas decorations. I love it! It makes me want to snuggle up with a blanket and drink hot chocolate. (I say snuggle up with a blanket, because I don't have a street address in the dating world.)

I am so grateful for my room mates, and that we're clean and nice to each other and that we have fun and laugh. They are a blessing in my life and I know that I live here in G421 for a reason, even though it's freezing.

Today a kid in math gave me a piece of gum and it was so nice of him to give everyone gum. What a good kid.

Anyway, my life is going swell and even though I'm not in high school anymore, I still find myself hanging out with my mom and brother every weekend, but I'm okay with that. I love college, and I love that this semester is days from being over. Praise the heavens!

love, Maddie Violet