Seasons of Life

Oh, hello Blog! Long time, no see!

There are two main reasons for my absence:

1.  I’ve been having a love affair with Instagram. Unfortunately for you, I think he will be sticking around for a while.
For this season of my life, it is just more convenient. But don’t worry, I’ll still visit on occasion.

2.  I have actually had this post written since February, but for some reason Blogger wasn't letting me post anything. Lame.
So pretend this was 2 months ago  :)

My life is quite different now.

I’ve decided that I don’t really like change.

I like to find my place, find my people, and then settle down there…. maybe forever  :)  

But, for better or for worse, life is not usually like that.

.  .  .  .  .

By my senior year of high school, I had found that spot in life.  
I was busy with Yearbook deadlines, choir trips, play rehearsals, and wandering the high school halls.
I was comfortable with my friends and who I was. I loved high school.

 

When I began college, I had a little bit of a rough start.
Someone (who will remain anonymous) offered her words of wisdom to me,
and I am so glad that she did because I have reflected on them several times throughout my life.

She told me: “You don’t like college because you liked high school.”
She continued, “It’s true! You either get to like high school, or college. You liked high school, so you’re not going to like college.
That’s just how it goes.”

My first thought was, “Well why didn’t someone tell me this before I decided to like High School!
I think I would have rather liked college, and now I will never get the chance!”

Then, my ever-logical brain kicked in. Why can’t I enjoy high school and college? Is it so crazy to believe that you can enjoy two parts of your life?
Yes, they were different, but I was sure there could be good in both.

Thankfully, I realized this was some pretty bad advice.
I’m glad that she said it though, because I decided right then and there that I would always enjoy whatever stage of life I was in.

Like the seasons, each has something unique to offer, but all are beautiful.

.  .  .  .  .

I grew to love college! I had my place and my people who were like my second family. I had experiences that made me stretch and grow as a person.
I organized activities, went to concerts, had prank wars, made toilet bombs, and traveled around Europe.
It was even better than high school!

As graduation came closer, I started to panic.
I was losing my place. I was losing my people! I didn’t want things to change!
My life would never be this good again.

And then I remembered that bad advice…. And I remembered how stupid it was.
I thought, “Allison, your life is going to be different, yes. But your life can still be good.”

.  .  .  .  .

So, I moved to Logan.
That was a hard transition.

My 23^rd Birthday was a few months after I moved there, and it was the worst ever.
I was nowhere near where I always thought I would be when I turned 23. I was supposed to be an “adult” and I had no idea what was going on!
I was struggling to find direction and purpose in my life.

I had no place. I had no people.

But I held onto the thought that it could still be good. I worked hard for that good.

Again, I found a new place, and a new second family. I grew in ways that I would not have been able to otherwise.
I loved meeting new people, potluck, movie nights, game nights, impulsive adventures, Murder In The Dark, and talking with roommates until 2am.
I loved this stage of my life! It was the best!

And then I got engaged.

.  .  .  .  .

Don't get me wrong, I wanted to get married! But it was change.
And the biggest change that I had yet to experience!

I remember one night, sitting in the car and crying to Clayson.
I loved living with roommates! Who would help me put together an outfit for church?

Again, I heard those stupid words going through my head.

I didn’t have to choose between my single life and married life. This was just a new season.
Both could be good! Different, yes, but soo good.

.  .  .  .  .

I settled into married life.

I love spending every day with Clayson! We made dinner together, took walks, weekend trips, and watched the Jazz play basketball.
He has even gotten pretty good at helping me with my Sunday outfits! 
Life was perfect!

I loved going to work. It was my place and they were my people.
We had inside jokes, went to lunch, flew to Denver, and had girls days.
I loved it!

And then I found out I was pregnant.

.  .  .  .  .

Like marriage, this is a happy change, but it is change.

I have always wanted to stay home and raise my children.
I have never questioned that, and we have been blessed to be in a situation where my dream could come true!

But, I suddenly wasn’t sure if I was ready for that.

The idea of being solely responsible for the life of a tiny human was fine.
But, not working? That was scary!

I had been working for so long that I couldn’t imagine my life without it anymore. It sounded so boring just to stay home all day!
What would I do with myself? Who would I talk to? I need human interaction!
I can’t just talk to a baby all day!

And then the thought came: “It will be different, but oh so good!”

.  .  .  .  .

That change came September 30, 2015 and I am so grateful that he did!

I now spend my days talking to a baby – Telling him our plans for the day, making deals with him if he will sleep, and celebrating when he rolls over, takes a spoonful of rice cereal, or I am able to suck a particularly large booger from my sons nose.

I love it!

Yes – Sometimes I miss work. Sometimes I miss my roommates. Sometimes I miss college.

But, I would never change where I am at for anything.

.  .  .  .  .

I can honestly say that I have loved every stage of my life.

And if, at any point in my life, you would have asked me which stage was the best? I would honestly have said whatever stage I was currently in.
It doesn’t mean that any time was better or worse, just different. And all good.

I am blessed to still be in contact with all my “second families” and to relive those moments on occasion.
They have helped to mold me into who I am today.

Each stage was perfect for me at that time.

The seasons of my life will continue to change, each fading into the next. I’m sure I will be stretched, pushed, pulled, and tested – and it will be beautiful.  Although it is hard for me to imagine at the moment, I am sure I will grow to love each new season just as much, and even more!

Life doesn't stay the same forever.
And I am learning that it is a good thing.

.  .  .  .  .

But today, I don’t want to wander the high school halls, have a prank war, or explain insurance benefits.

Today I want to rock my baby to sleep and play cards with my husband.

That One Time in June....

Remember that one time when we went to see Ryan Hamilton and I said I was going to make a video of it? 

Well, I finally made it!

Staring: Clayson fighting with people and Jana bobbling her head

Supporting Actors: Allison, Abbi & Jared, Carlie & Tyler, Ellen & Brody, Karissa, and Courtney 

(and Ryan Hamilton's ear)

It was really such a fun trip though! Before seeing Ryan Hamilton we went to Cafe Rio and then we all stayed at Carlie & Tyler's that night. 

So, while this may not be that exciting for most people to watch, it was our last big hurrah before we all got married. I love all these people!

Enjoy:

Thanks for watching  :)

Pickle Juice

This blog post is brought to you by:

Pickle Juice - Bringing apartments together since 2009

.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .

You know you have a good apartment when you can drink a jar of pickle juice together.

I got lucky once and never thought I'd have the privilege of having another such apartment.

(this is the video I spent about an hour trying to load, but it's just not happening)

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=1191203342199&l=424088212162279038

As fate would have it, I am blessed with another amazing apartment full of wonderful people  :)

Jana with her winnings:

$1 off Questar from Abbi

$1 from Carlie

Delicious chicken wrap from Allison

The moral of the story is:

Roommates who drink pickle juice together, stay together

You look familiar....

After institute one night, my friend Sam invited Jana and me over to his neighbors apartment to watch a movie. 

We had no other plans for the night, so accepted the invitation.

When we walked in, no one was there, so we made ourselves comfortable on the couch. 

Slowly they began coming out from the back bedrooms.

The first guy that came out looked really familiar, but I couldn't figure out who he was.
I started to panic a little - what if he remembered me and we have actually hung out on multiple occasions and I just don't remember him and then it will be awkward and embarrassing....
This is, unfortunately, an all too common experience for me.

Luckily, he was in the same boat I was in!

"You look familiar...."

Turns out Colton was in my ward when I lived at Kensington.

Not only that, but he was roommates with Matt, Jeff, and Richard who were a huge part of my life. He knew about me from their perspective. Ha!

He also knew Krisann really well from activities they were on together, as well as Katelyn. I realized I had even remembered Krisann talk about Colton!

Matt, Krisann, Rich, Katelyn, Jeff, Me
My main people of 2008

We reminisced and talked about where everyone was now.

Next walked in two other guys - Cole and Ryan. 

Jana looked at Cole "You look familiar...."

"Really?" I said looking at Ryan, "Cause I think you look familiar"

Turns out I went to high school with Ryan!

And Cole was in our ward last year and in the sunday school presidency when I was a teacher! (He admitted that they were not the best presidency because neither of us actually recognize recognized each other)

Crazy how people come back into your life!

Labor Day Weekend

Climbing

This year I have gotten really in rock climbing.
As it has gotten warmer we have been going outside, but I am not the biggest fan of the limestone that is in Logan.
I have been craving granite!

I went to Rexburg this weekend (sorry if I didn't get to see you!) and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity to climb on granite. 

I rounded up Porter and Whitney (who had stayed most of the weekend with me and we had so much fun!) and we were off!

Long story short:

- Whitney and I almost got lost twice on our way there

- We almost died once (although Whitney would say it was more)

- Porters car sounded like it was going to fall apart and we were all a little nervous.

- We forgot an ATC so we "made due" with a cool knot (Porter has way too much trust in me)

- I'm not sure who got the better work out: Whitney jumping up the rock, or Porter pulling her up.

- Whitney got blisters / huge boils from the heat of the rock on every finger

- I got heat exhaustion about four moves into my first climb and almost passed out / couldn't see anything on several occasions.

- None of us brought water

- For some reason, we thought it would be a good idea for the girl who was about to pass out (aka me) to belay Porter as he took the climb down.

Yeah, NOT a good idea! (I had Whitney holding the rope just in case, and it was a close call.)

- On the way home I was blinded by the sun, so Whitney stuck her head out the window and literally guided me as I drove.

- I had a headache for the next 24 hours

And we all survived to tell the tale!

Between Porter taking care of my heat exhaustion (ready at any moment to catch me if I fainted and dipping his coat in the river to put on my head)
and bandaging Whitney's blistered hands, I'm pretty sure he never wants to take us climbing again. Ha!

Thanks Porter!

It will be better next time  :)

(We have pictures and even a movie, but there have been some technical difficulties in getting them. So sad.
Hopefully I'll get them up soon, so check back)

Bishop & Sister Forbush

Whitney and I visited Bishop and Sister Forbush. They are seriously the best! I loved just hanging out with them and catching up on life.
It was just like the good old times. It seems like only yesterday we were there going hot tubbing, singing karaoke, cutting our fingers with sharp knives that poor college students aren't accustomed to, playing in their amazing back yard, and just hanging out.

 

Family

Fun times with mom and dad just hanging out, talking, playing speed scrabble and taking walks.
It's good to go home.

Moving Day!

Labor Day was spent moving into my new apartment! I cannot say thank you enough to my parents and sister for all their help.
I am so grateful for them! It made the day so much fun to have them with me in Logan. They are the best! 

I will miss Chelsey, but I am moving in with some amazing friends and am excited for the change!

The bad part is that I hurt my back somehow in the move. I feel like an 80 year old woman.
Good thing I work at a chiropractic office! I might actually have to get adjusted  :)

Wedding Reunion

Last weekend I got to go to Kandaces wedding reception. I am so happy for her!

I literally ate at least five plates full of food. So good!

Kandaces wedding
(Quiz! Who was Photoshopped into this picture because they were too busy eating?)

One of the best parts of going to weddings is getting to see some of my favorite people! 

Susie & Dan / Jessica & Kevins weddings

We all got really close in college and created a kind of family. 

We have so much fun when we get back together! It's just like old times.

Logans wedding

Who's next to get married so we have an excuse to get together again!?

Thoughts on Friends

I have never been great at staying in touch with friends after we part ways. I haven't talked to most of my friends from high school since graduation. Our lives moved on and it was fine. I didn't expect anything different.

In college, I got closer with my friends and we formed a kind of family. I wondered what would happen after college graduation.
Would everyone just disappear like high school? 

Now, a year and a bit after I've graduated, it's interesting to see who I still keep in touch with.
Some I expected, but others are friends I thought I'd never talk to after the semester ended, let alone a year later! Still, I have other friends that I thought would always be there who have completely drifted away. It's been interesting for me to see who sticks around and who moves on. 

I know it goes both ways, and I have left friends just as much as they have left me, and I don't think anyone is to blame.
Life just moves on. These are just the thoughts in my head and nothing more.
But for those who have made the effort to maintain a friendship, thank you! I really do appreciate it! I should be better. 

I love the random texts, Facebook posts / messages / pokes, phone calls and visits. 

They make my day  :)

You guys are the best!

<3

The Neighbors

Soo.... this ended up being kind of a long post. oops.

A few months ago, we got new neighbors.
They are three guys - Rich, Jake, and Corey - who are all going to grad school and already have good jobs. They are all very charismatic.
I was immediately impressed.

We gave each other tours of our houses. They have two deer heads and a foosball table. In their garage they have 2 trucks, 4 four wheelers, a cabinet, 2 garbage cans, and I think they also might have 2 dirt bikes or something like that. All in their garage. Crazy! 

So now that you get an idea of who these guys are, I'll tell you what happened.

Nothing.

Nothing happened.

After our initial meeting and house tours, we never really did or even saw any of them again. 

Sometimes we would think, we should invite the neighbors to our game/movie night or whatever the occasion might have been.
But they were never even home!

However, on the rare occasions that we did see each other at church or ward prayer, they were always very good at saying, "Hey neighbor!" (It's a good thing they were good at this because I honestly wouldn't have had a clue who they were otherwise. That's how often we saw them.) Then we would talk - I would give him a hard time about never being home and being bad neighbors, and he would say "Just come over!" But I don't "just come over" because I think it's awkward, so nothing ever happened.
And that was how it went. The end.

After a while, we gave up on ever being actual friends with the neighbors. They were too out of our league.
Jake had gotten a girlfriend, so he was a lost cause. Corey traveled a lot for work and Rich was busy with school.
They would just be nice acquaintance friends and we would be happy with that.

Then, last Monday, we went to home evening at the Bishop's house where we were combined with another group, and who do you think was there - Corey! (the good news is I actually recognized him this time) He greeted us with his usual "Hey neighbor!" and we had our standard conversation. He told us to "just come over!" I responded with "You're never home! How about you guys come over! It would probably work better." And that was it.

Chelsey and I joked, "What if they actually came over. Haha! That would never happen!"

But, the next night around 10:30 something happened. There was a faint buzzing noise that sounded through the house. It was odd and it took me a while to identify the sound as our doorbell, which is apparently broken. 

It was Corey! 

I just stared at him. I think I was in shock that he was actually at my door! I finally offered him a brownie, which I had made earlier that day. We talked for a while and then we said goodnight and he went home. I was amazed! He had actually come over!
I went upstairs to share my shock with Chelsey who was equally as surprised.
Were we were actually making friends with the neighbors? Maybe it was just a fluke. Better not get our hopes up.

Thursday, Richard added me as a friend on Facebook! I was making real progress! It was probably the most exciting part of my day.... until around 10:30 that night when the doorbell/buzzer went off again. This time it was Corey and Rich! Holy smokes! We talked and they casually invited us over for Sunday to watch Home Improvement which they apparently watch on a regular basis. I couldn't tell if it was a real invitation, or just a "one day that might happen" kind of an invitation. We decided to wait and see if they re-invited us.

Friday, I was at work, but apparently Rich and Corey showed up and jumped Cate's car for her. 

Tonight (Sunday) Cate was playing nintendo and I was working on a photo shoot I did yesterday. Around 10:30 there came a now familiar buzzing sound. Corey had come to invite us to watch Home Improvement! I told him we were playing nintendo and that was all it took. Who can pass up the original Mario!? I tell you what, Corey has some impressive Mario skills.

So, in conclusion, I don't know what happened, but we are suddenly friends with the neighbors!
And I think they're pretty cool. 

It is exciting  :)



p.s  I tried to find a Mr Wilson "Howdy Ho Neighbor!" but I guess youtube decided not to put any of those clips up. oh well.