My nannying job has been keeping me real busy along with all of the fun BMB activities almost everyday. Also, I am now a year older as of last week! I got to celebrate my birthday at Disneyland and it was wonderful. Sadly the Matterhorn has been closed all summer. But I got to ride lots of other great rides and ended the night with beignets and came home to my front door being heart-attacked by my wonderful BMB friends. Oh, and I can't forget my wonderful gift from Mike. The Star Wars trilogy. I know, I know. But I loved it :)
I've accomplished more "firsts" in the meantime. I flew a kite; rode a motorcycle; tried all sorts of deep fried food at the Del Mar Fair-deep fried Kool-aid, deep fried klondike bar, deep fried thin mints, and chocolate covered bacon; played broom hockey and sock wars; hiked to the PQ waterfall; tried a Dr. Pepper float; had Dole whip; gave a talk in the BMB; went to a YSA dance, and went surfing (second time)!
This summer has turned out to be so much more than I had expected it to be. Much "better" than any other summer so far.
There have been a few things though that have really been a big part of my summer.
Disneyland: I've gone 4 times so far this summer! I have loved it ever since I was young and its been a big part in my life. My whole family loves it and its always been a place for my family to all come together and spend time having fun. I've finally got over my dumb fears and finally rode Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, and California Screamin'! I know, I am really lame. But anyways, I love Disneyland and I am so grateful for annual passes!
My Job: I've been a nanny the past 3 months for the two cutest kids in the world and for the nicest family. I've learned so much about children and everything that goes with it through this experience and I am so glad I am learning this now! I took a child development class my second semester up at BYU-I and really loved learning about that kind of stuff. I am also planning on taking an Infants and Toddlers class this fall. Anyways, my job is pretty great like I have said before. I work 40 hours a week but luckily it is not really a demanding job. It is pretty chill and I have just learned so much.
Retreat For Girls: I was a counselor at Retreat For Girls for two weeks in July up at Utah State in Logan, Utah. It was honestly the most spiritual experience I have ever had. I loved preparing devotionals for my girls to teach to them at night. I loved the theme of Retreat: Daughters in His Kingdom. I think that is such an important message for young girls to know and understand. I loved being a counselor and being someone 22 girls over those 2 weeks relied on and looked up to. That experience taught me so much. Most importantly that we are entirely not here in this earth for ourselves. We are here for others and if everyone kept that in mind, everyone would be taken care of. That is something I love about the church: that charity and service is so important and a top priority. As a counselor, we had to completely be focused on our girls and it was a huge responsibility to make sure each girl was healthy and well, having a fun time, making friends, learning new things, strengthening their testimonies, and understanding the importance of being a daughter of God. I hope to be a counselor again next summer because it really was a wonderful experience and I loved every moment even when there were hard times (Alma 26:30). From this experience, I got 22 new little sisters and I hope I can continue to be their big sister whenever they need one. It was just amazing to have such great love for these girls who I only got to know for a week.
The Temple: The temple has become a bigger part in my the past year being able to go every week up in Rexburg. I've loved being home and being able to go to the beautiful San Diego temple. I haven't made it every week but I have been often this summer and it has always been a wonderful visit. I will miss this temple but I am excited to go back to Rexburg and go to that one. I am just glad I always have one close by...15 minutes here and just a walk away in Rexburg!
Mike: Mike has been a huge part of my summer. We are so much alike yet so different at the same time. He has helped me become a stronger person and has taught me to take risks and be less scared. He has taught me so much and I admire everything that he is-confident, adventurous, spiritual, considerate, smart, sure of his future, funny, sarcastic, sweet, friendly, easygoing, & strong. He makes me so happy but I am sad the summer is ending soon and we'll both have to go back to school in just two weeks.
