Adventure time, ya'll.

So yes, I have been the worst blogger in America...but hopefully that will change this summer! I am going to D.C. on BYU Washington Seminar for the summer. I am going to write about my adventures and living in D.C. right about HERE.

Happy Summer-ing party people!

little discoveries.

how much do I love summer?

IMMEASURABLY.

But isn't it really the greatest thing? It is like this feeling of such airy-ness and freedom.

I am living at my grandparents for the summer, on the weekends when sports camps are out. They have a garden in their backyard & it has recently become one of my favorite things. All the flowers and fresh veggies that we get to eat for every meal. It just says summer. I went out to the garden and just walked around for a bit today. It was such a lively place, on a micro level of course! :] I snapped some pictures of the things I found, including a butterfly. This butterfly let me get so close it was ridiculous.

Also, my Aunt Jen has introduced to me a new healthy eating website. DASHING DISH. It is promotional toward healthy eating and healthy living patterns! I fell in love with it in just a few moments of visiting the site. I hope to put to use some of those brilliant recipies soon...like a huge healthy breakfast cookie?! GREAT! Also, ran in a 5k with Sar this weekend and it rekindled the love of running/motivation to run that I lost when my roomates left for the summer. I need to kick it into gear for our Red Rock Relay coming up in September....

Step 1: FORGET how much I love ice cream.

Also, #186 is OFFICIALLY CROSSED OFF MY BUCKETLIST....Sit in a Suana!!

Random and wierd.... but it had to be done! I accomplished it after an early morning swim in the BYU pool with these lovely ladies! This is not the most atractive picture but, DIG IT!

here's to another great week at camps... Cross Country and Speed and Power!

of the heart.

The smallest moments in life can make a huge impact on what we become. 

I was getting cash out at the small market near my grandparents house this last Friday night and had one of these greatly small moments.  I was running a bit late and had impatient feelings running through me. The woman in front of me in the express line was writting a check, and also seemed to be in a rush. I looked more closely at her and recognized the name of an event written on the sleeve of her shirt. It said in small letters,"Run To Walk." My non-profit fundraising class had helped the Now I Can Foundation, a special organization local to Utah that helps give therapy to children with disabilities, with this event. My heart got a little excited in the fact that I recognized this. I remember being so touched by their organization and their goals. I reached out to her and softly asked if her shirt was for Now I Can.  She looked a little taken aback at the fact that I knew of the organization and introduced me to herself as the Executive Director.  I explained to her that I was a student at Brigham Young University studying Nonprofit management.  She first responded to me by apologizing for the way she looked for she had been cleaning and working all day. After this she grabbed her grocery bags, paused for a minute and said to me, " Keep doing what you are doing. Good girl" , and she was out the door.

My interaction with this woman was but a few seconds and yet it ment so much to me.  It was a tender mercy from the Lord reminding me of what I have written on my heart. It reminded me that I was in the right place and to keep moving forward.

The heart is such a sacred and tender place. When we write something on our heart it is something we can never forget or deny,  Written on my heart I have the gospel of Jesus Christ. The love of my family. The illuminating power of love and service. The choice to be happy.

This is the largest girls week for the entire summer at sports camps. It is going to be another whirlwind-ly great of a week. I have tried resting up all weekend in preparation for the good times ahead.  Hopefully we will have some memorable stories to tell. Actually, I KNOW WE WILL.

:]

I have it written on my heart that this is going to be the best week of the summer.

"There is no limit to your influence for good."

~President Thomas S. Monson

This is a picture from one of my favorite & latest activities. Downtown Provo DANCEWALK.

Dance Walking through the streets of Provo with my fellow counselors.

Also in GREAT NEWS:

I am a self professed EFY lover/nerd. The new EFY CD is out. HAPPINESS. :]

The life changing CD can be found RIGHT HERE.

todayy.

#1 of today.

 I have discovered that I am no longer the unburnable Starlee Jacobs, that I once was in high school.  I went to the pool with my family last week when they were here and didn't think to put on sunscreen.  A hot shower and a couple of hours later I seriously began to regret the no-sunscreen decision.  As girls we have this sub-concious thought than sunscreen=continuous winter delight white skin...Therefore, we just forgettttttt...to wear it. :]   This sunburn actually took me back to the days when I went to Hawaii with The Smith family & Sarah and I fell asleep on the beach...entire bodies ROASTED. We could barely walk, sit, or sleep, and radiated more heat than a bonfire. Considering My skin is now peeling away from me, I am going to have to be careful with the new clean canvas of skin. Well, lesson learned, right?  Tomorrow, I go to the lake...wish my burnt back luck and a whole lot of SPF.

#2 of this most adventurous Friday.

 (which has been one of my favorites of the whole summer, thanks to Madison Mackey).

TENNIS. We played tennis for a couple of hours today.  We both played in high school but, haven't played since.  It was seriously so much fun to start to kind of get back into the feel of tennis.  It really is a blast-and-a-half of a lifelong sport! PLAY IT. You should really play it. We set a goal to be able to actually play a full game by the end of the summer. Also, if we get good enough we might sign up for intermurals. Keep you eyes peeled for the new dynamic duo of tennis AMURICAAAA! We commin. We commin.

ALSO. THE FOURTH OF JULY IS THIS WEEK.

(my favorite holiday x 10,000000000000000.3)

Unfortunately, I won't be able to participate in watching, my favorite things in the whole world, The Freedom Festival Grand Parade or Stadium of Fire but...I will be working & I love that just as much. We will be at Seven Peaks that night...Let the sports camp party begin!

reading report

..."but with a cultivated mind, quick sympathies and that power of enjoyment which is a priceless treasure-- he was well equipped for the battle of life." pg. 18

 

Cool. Stuff. This book. I really have to be in the right mood to read it but, I have already learned so much. So far I have just read about the family of Florence Nightingale. They really fought for what they believed in no matter the consequences. They set so many of the precedents for they ways in which we live. So many of the comforts that we have are because of the many discomforts they lived through. Inspiring-ly great history and people.

 

I am finding my love for reading again. DO IT.

 

:]

Daily Adventures of a Sports Camp Counselor

Wow. Yes, that really just happened.
A whirlwind of hilarious kids, lost keys, puking, all-you-can-eat ice cream, late night activities, and the funniest people I have ever met!
BEST WEEK EVER.

Week one of Sports Camps done. Check mate. 
I will tell you this much. It is the most fulfilling job in the world! The phrase, "never a dull moment" definately applies here. I don't even know how to adequately describe how much fun this job is.  It is alot of work but the kind of work that makes me more HAPPY than any other!

Monday came and went...all of the kids checked in, started camps, and we ended the night with field games and of course, ice cream! The counselors turned in their headcount and all kids were accounted for.  I crawled into bed with a sign of relief and gratitude of how great the day went no matter how tired I was.  Right as I started to doze off I heard a doors in the hallway opening. I kept hearing little things for the next couple of minutes, and finally decided to get up and check it out.  One of the girls in my hall had gotten sick and had thrown up. This moment was the actual moment in which I realised how much I loved my job. Wierd moment to realise this? YES.  The kids are what we are here for!  With my hair tied back, and a little chuckle, I put the big-girl mommy pants on, and dove on in to clean up. Working with the kids is the most rewarding thing.

My counselor roomate for the week said to me last night, " I don't think you can get hired for this job unless you are weird." TRUTH. We are all just kind of weird in our own little way, which is why it is so much fun.  Wackyness is totally neccessay! I can't even wait to work all summer with these counselors.  Every one of them is a bucket full of laughs/weird :], hardworking, and really know how to really have a good time. Let the games begin.

Here we have Exhibit A of the stellar hilariousness of my fellow counselors:

It was introduced to us by Romney as "OSTRICH-ING."
Planking at a whole-nutha level. The competition has begun, to say the least.

We may or may not have worn pastel shorts on the same day! HOW RAD IS THAT!?

  Another thing that I was not lacking this week,
along with entertainment and awesome kids, was sugar. HOLY COWS. Cookies. Candy. Ice Cream. Whadaa Dream. Scary-Gotta-Be-Careful Dream. Here's to self control NEXT WEEK!

Late-as-of

Spring Term is a heavenly thing.

I am sad that it is nearing its end. It is the perfect blend of school and summer.

I am lucky to be spending it with the best people too. :]

Whats new....

Our kickball team...Von Trapp Family kickers is in the TOURNAMENT. We have to win 2 more games to be the champions. WHOOP.

Post game treats have also become a vital part of our weekly routine. The Houkilou Snow Cone Shack is a new favorite of ours.

Snow Cones dancing in our heads.

We went camping for memorial day!

This is where we ended up... Rachel's family owns this beautiful property. They let us come out with them and spend some time in a cell-phone service free zone. It was peaceful and a truly great time.

We did have on injury happen...

Hollie sprained her ankle in a four wheeler accident.  She is our champion of late and has had many "crutching" adventures as she has had to trek accross campus everyday on her crutches.

And finally...I have started reading for pleasure again! To kick off the summer I am going to learn about somebody I hope to become more like. FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. I am really excited to learn about her life...I will report back if it is any good.

Well, onward and upward.

The weekend is here. All is awesome.

thought.

Do your BEST & The Lord will take care of the rest.

I have the name tag and the manual. LETS DO IT. 
I first felt a little overwhelmed for the awesome job ahead of me...not for long! I am beyond ready and excited to have the time of my life, helping others to have the time of their life. If that makes sense?  Heres to a great summer and more camp counselor training on the morrow!
Also...cool fact of the day. My name tag. IT'S MAGNETIC.

Wacko Wednesday

so check her out.

Happy Wednesday, y'all from our neck of the woods. TOMORROW we go home for the weekend of weddings!

BIVAAA LASS BEGASS.

Tonight was full of music blasting and headphone singing contests where the music is so loud you can't hear yourself...but everybody else can :]

ggggggnighhhhhttt!

pop-carn

On of my favorite things lately is popcorn...I just can't seem to get enough!
My roommates & I have made up our own reciepies and experimented with some others. My favorites are cinnamon & sugar and Jello popcorn!

This popcorn was really cute & tasty too. White chocolate & sprinkles? Can't go wrong!
The bright colors made it adorableeee.

This is our favorite....
CINNAMON & SHUGA SHUGA.
We always have the ingredients on hand & its a crowd pleaser.

-BUTTER :]
-Air popped corn
-cinnamon
-sugar

Intructs: Pop corn, melt butter & stir into warm popcorn. Sprinkle & mix in Cinnamon &Sugar until desired amount reached!

Another Favorite is Jello Popcorn.

Sounds kinda funky, but it is so gooddd!

(from Our Best Bites, Fruity Candy Popcorn & Michelle from Campus Floral)

Recipie:

1/4 cup butter

3 T light corn syrup/honey

1/2 cup sugar

1.35 oz box of jello, Flavor of your choice! (not sugar free)

1. Add butter & syrup to pan and heat until butter melted.

2. Add in sugar and jello & stir well!

3. Increase heat until a boil & then lower heat and allow to simmer 5 minutes.

(texture will be think and kind of weird, go with it!  It will become more liquidy as time goes on! )

4.Mix mixture with popcorn immediately and then spread flat over a foiled cookie sheet to dry.

Some then put it in the oven at 300 for about ten minutes to let it melt and cook a bit. I find it okay if you don't do that as well. So if you are feeling impatient,  I say dig in after cooled!

It is really fun to mix flavors, like strawberry & lemon for strawberry lemonade of toast coconut and mix it will pinapple jellow popcorn! The possibilities are endless!

In other news...

Spring semester is going GREAT. It is so much more relaxed & nice to have less people on campus. Classes are going at a really quick speed but it is nice to be able to focus on just a couple of them!

Hollie & I spent a night in Logan, UT and it is BEAUTIFUL THERE! We ate at one of the town classic landmarks, The Bluebird!

Alex's wedding is this weekend! I can't wait to see her & am so excited for this time in her life. We will be road-trippin to viva las vegas on thursday for the festivities.

The Von Trap Family Kickers (our kickball team, nerdy names are the way to go)  start their spring season this Thursday at 9:15, if you care to join! It is going to be a great adventure. Yes we will be playing in our lederhosen. Yes we will be singing our cheers in harmony. Yes our warm ups will not only be physical but vocal to bat. :]

In sad news, my calculus class was short lived. I lasted a bit of a painful  day. DANG IT! But I am in statistics now!

HAPPY FIRST DAY DE MAYO!