Christmas is coming... the goose is getting fat!

Hey... these are SWEET hats that my sister-in-law Rosie makes... check it out... Christmas is coming! :) http://nevehats.com/

What happens when I smell pizza while walking to class...

SO... last monday I was minding my own business, not doing anything naughty at ALL.... just walking from my art class to my math class.... when all the sudden some kid walks past me carrying a piece of pizza. MAN DID IT SMELL GOOD. Not only was it pizza which is just YUMMY... but I hadn't eaten all day... seriously... now that's just MEAN to tease me like that. So then of course all through math I was thinking about how much I would LOVE to have a piece of pizza... so I did what any normal person would do... that night I went grocery shopping and the next day after classes I made pizza! Now I was a little scared... last time I attempted to make pizza not only did the crust not rise... but my sauce tasted weird... but I pushed foward and took the plunge! IT WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO YUMMY! In fact, I shared some of it with Michael and his rommates... and it passed the test! WOOHOO! I also still have some in the freezer for later! :) YAY FOR FOOD! :)

Also two weekends ago I went and spent 4 days with Jessica and her family! It was thourghly pleasant! :) David is a super good kid, Joshua is way fun, Katie is SO CUTE, and Sage is just precious! :)

Oh... and here's an update from my last blog... crossing my fingers worked! My stippling (that's what I found out it's called!) project for art got approved, and I've now worked about 12 hours on it, and I'm about 1/4 of the way done.... CRAZY! Haha... good thing I have a LONG ride down to AZ next week during which I can work on it! :)

Keeping my fingers crossed! :)

So this is a demo of one of the projects I want to do for my art final! I'm really hoping it gets approved because I had a BLAST doing this small one! :) The photo of this isn't very good though... the real thing is AWESOME!

Random updates on a random life!

Wow.... So I've got another week of school behind me. Not only did I live through another week... but it was a WHOPPER! This past week was midterms, and if I wasn't already busy enough, throw a bunch of tests into the crazy mix! Though... I must say that pulling A's on most of them sure helped me live through it! (WOOHOO for finally figuring out how to not fail at school! It only took me like 15 years... pretty good track record if you ask me!)

Let's see... other than being done with midterms there really isn't much going on. Unlike the normal Dianna that most of you know I don't really get out much anymore. In FACT on Monday night I got done with my homework and went to bed at 10:30... if you think that's bad... last night I crawled into bed around 9. Hahaha... I think I'm getting old or something! I always used to laugh at my sisters when they said they went to bed so earlier. But it's true what everyone tells you during your freshman year of college... "Go out and party now, because by the time you're a senior you're going to be so tired all you'll want to do it get your homework done so you can go to bed as early as possible!" Hahaha... I didn't think so freshman year... but never has a statement been so true!

Here's some good news... yesterday I went to my school advisor... I took a copy of my graduation plan... and I GET TO GRADUATE! WOOHOO! Mind you I still have to go to school Winter and Summer semester of this year, and then student teach in the Fall... but I see the blessed light at the end of a VERY long tunnel!

Let's see for my last little tidbit on my life... I've started listening to Christmas music FULLFLEDGE! I listen to it year round... but for the past few weeks, it's become a more and more frequent part of my music mix! I LOVE IT! Christmas music is truly one of the happiest things ever! Anytime you have a bad just slip in Michael McLeans The Forgotten Carols and enjoy and arousing sense of happiness! :) That's my happy thought for the day! :)

VOTE YES!

http://www.preservingmarriage.org/

For Mom...

OK... so mom... you keep bothering me about updating my blog... my life is seriously note exciting enough to do it EVERYDAY!!!!! :) Hahaha... but here's an update JUST for you (maybe a little bit for everyone else too!) SO... as you know because you talk to me EVERYDAY... I pulled a ligament in my rib... random... and there really isn't a funny story!

Here goes the story... Sunday between conference sessions I was at Michael's apartment. His roommates Casey, Jake, and I were playing a game called Jungle Jam. To sum up the game in a few words I'll say, cards with symbols, a stick, and wrestling! The rest of the story is pretty much implied. Jake and I got the same card, and grabbed the stick at the same time... HENCE we had to wrestle for the stick. Not only did I pull a ligament in my rib... BUT I also lost the stick! Hahaha! It's the best game EVER though!!! :)

Ok.. now here's the part for everyone else.... I'm in an art class right now and it's super fun! Here's a picture of my latest project. It's not quite finished... but enough to show off a little bit! I'm kinda a perfectionist about things like this, and this isn't perfect so I'm not super happy with it... but it works! :)

OK mom... I hope that's good!!! :) I'll update again sometime... though I'm sure you'll tell me tomorrow to do it again!!! :) :) :) :) :)

Just keep swimming....

So life continues on! This semseter was projected to be a busy one, and it has proven to be just that! I'm currently taking 17 credits (which includes one of the hardest classes offered in my major... :/!) I'm also a committee member for the Sudent Spirit Events board. Up to this week I was part of the student government here on campus, but I just couldn't keep up with everything, so they kindly asked me to step back so that someone else with more time could have the opportunity. ( I think it's a blessing in disguise!)

NOW... here's the REAL news... I've had two of my friends pestering me for WEEKS to join the swim team. I wasn't really excited for it, and wasn't even going to do it because I didn't want to have the time commitment. BUT... they won out in the end, so yesterday I went to the first practice of the semester for the BYU-Idaho Spartains! It practically killed me... and this morning I woke up SUPER SUPER SUPER sore, but surprisingly I'm REALLY excited for the season! As part of the practices we have "dryland" twice a week. Since it's not really a part of being on the team it isn't mandatory to go, but I decided it would be a good way to get out and exercise... so tonight I got to participate in a "dryland" practice. This too was crazy hard, and invovled a LOT of running. Let's just say by Friday I'm not sure I've even going to get out of bed! Oh the joys!

I decided that since I'm starting a REGULAR exercise schedule I needed to do my part and work on eating more healthy. SO after practice tonight I went to the store and bought banana's, spinach, peaches, whole grain bread, corn tortillas, and mozerella cheese (it's better for you because there is a lower fat content.... you learn something new everyday huh!?!?!) I also made a deal with a girl on my team that we would go off sugar (except on Sunday!). SO... hopefully by the end of the semster I'll be HEALTHY!!!! PARTY!!!!! :)

Well I think that's about all new in my life. OH... except everyone really needs to go see the movie Forever Strong. It's AMAZING! It is rated PG-13, for teen drinking, and there is a scene with girls in bikini's, but it is SO good! It has an amazing message!

Oh the craziness a new baby brings!

updates on baby Sage http://rivendaletheborensfarm.blogspot.com/

THE VERY FABULOUS WEDDING!!! :)

So I'm FINALLY putting picures of Kristal's wedding up! Sorry for the delay (MARIAN!!). Mom and Dad finally got high speed internet so I'm actually able to put pictures on the web while i'm at home! WOOHOO! Anyways... here they are! :) It was an absolutely beautiful wedding!

Josh and Kristal the BEAUTIFUL couple!!! :)

The girls! Kayla, Rashell, Me, and Kristal!
The bridesmaids are OF COURSE wearing the dresses that my sister Marian and my mother most graciously made! :)

The bride! I thought this dress was amazing on Kristal!!! :)

Kristal and Kymira (Bride and Flower Girl)

Father of the Bride!
She made me cry during this song!

You have to kiss a lot of toads before you find a handsome prince.

So my best friend got married yesterday! Talk about a shocker! I guess it's just a rude awakening to me. I've gotten so set in my ways, and have always had her around so her getting married just totally upset my social circle! Talk about RUDE! :) Haha! I kept telling her and and her fiance (now husband.. WEIRD) before the wedding, that if he wasn't such a nice guy I would've fought him for her! But I decided that since she loves his so much, and he treats her so well I would just have to learn to share! :) Kristal Danielle Hunt Barnes, here's a tribute from me to you... I'm going to miss you terribly, but I'm glad that Josh is willing to share! :) Here are 10 reasons that I love you! :)


1. You make me smile even when I REALLY want to be mad!
2. I know that if I need a hug in the middle of the night you'll drag yourself out of bed just to give me one!
3. You love to love people... even when they annoy you!
4. You tell me to suck it up and deal with it when I'm being ornery!
5. You treat those around you like everyone is a prince or princess.
6. You love to be a little kid!
7. You watch stupid movies with me like High School Musical and sappy love stories!
8. Even when I was far away in New York you still called me every week, and made me feel loved!
9. When I was at the lowest part in my life you were there in a heartbeat. You lovingly called me an idiot and stood by my side until I was on my feet again!
10. You've been the best friend that I could EVER ask for!

My love is like a cabbage
That's easy to cut in two.
The leaves I'll give to others
But the heart I'll keep for you

I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you:

Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
But because I knew you
I have been changed for good

It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend:

Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood
Who can say if I've been changed for the better?
Because I knew you
I have been changed for good!

Kristal... I love you more than words can describe! Honestly I don't know what I'm going to do without you by me all the time. I'm happy to share you with Josh though! Thank you for coming and crying with me on the first day of Kindergarten. It changed my life forever!

The Sway of the Supreme Commander

So this is me updating my blog because mommy said so! :)

There hasn't been a ton going on in my life right now. I started a job three weeks ago, so life has become even more busy than it was before! I'm teaching kids how to swim, it's definently one of the best jobs I've ever had! :) It beats sitting behind a desk! :)

While working I found a new favorite girls name (well maybe not FAVORITE... but definenlty a close second to Zion). There's a little girl in my level 2 swim class who is like the cutest thing EVER. Her name is Paige, which is ultra cute, but the name that I love is her sister's name. Avonlea! I think it SO SO SO pretty! (Oh siblings of mine, you better not even THINK about stealing it! I don't think its fair that since I'm the youngest all the cool names will be stollen by the time I actually get married and have kids! :) hehe!)

Let's see.... there really isn't anything else going on. Boys are being ridiculous idiots as per usual. And I'm still burnt out of school. I think I'm getting good grades, but I'm procrastinating everything, meaning at the end of the semester I'm gonna DIE trying to get everything done. Oh well! Ther'es only so much a girl can handle!

Well mom... I hope thats enough of an update for ya! Next time I have something exciting happen in my life I'll update again! :)

How many men does it take to screw in a light bulb.....?

So you ever had one of those night where there is ABSOLUTELY nothing to do? When all your friends go out of town leaving you behind to fend for yourself. That's pretty much my night right now.... it's just me and my roommate Bailey, sitting in our room trying to find something to do. I know it's hopeless when I've texted everyone in my phone to see what's going on... and I only get a few responses, saying that their going on dates, or hanging out with so and so, and there are no invitaitons thrown our way. While those people that we really wanna hang out with don't respond at all. What is that about?
So this week started out AMAZING! I got to go to Utah to visit my brother Stephen and his wife Rosie, and it was really fun! THEN I got to go on a GREAT date just to top off the end of the wknd! It really was just awesome.... then it all went KAPLOO. I find out that I had to stay in Rexburg for two days longer in order to take a mid-term. So on Thursday night I stood in the parking lot waving goodbye to all my girl friends from home and they leave to drive home for another friends wedding reception. Leaving me behind just WAITING for a chance to come home later. (which I'm SO glad my sisters are heading up on Saturday so I can go with them. I would have been REALLY sad if I couldn't have gone to the reception.)
THEN... I spend the rest of the week sitting around waiting for some sort of communication from the unknown land of boys. You know those weeks where you can't focus on ANYTHING... especially homework because there's just too many other things on your mind... that's this week, and let me tell you... that's FRUSTRATING. Especially when there is a pile of homework waiting to be done.
So I guess the question is... do I spend my friday night sitting in my room watching a movie with my roommate? Do I march over to someones apartment and DEMAND that someone come do something with me before I scream? Or do I go to the library and spend my precious Friday night in the books? I just don't know what to do.... But it is now 7:43 on a Friday night, and there are NO prospects for a fun night.....

Rain, rain, rain....

I'm just gonna give a shout out for the rain to GO AWAY! Memorial weekend is coming up... and the rain is going to ruin it. Dang persipitation! hahaha..... I know that we live in a desert and rain is good.... BUT STILL! Does it REALLY have to come on a long wknd? Isn't my life ridiculous enough without having to add the rain onto it!?!?!?!! Hahaha

On a happy note.... (since I know that was really negative.... and I don't like to be negative!) I GET TO GO HOME FOR THREE DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOO!!!!!! Next week is Ali Miller's wedding recteption up in Sandpoint... so I'm packing my car with girls from home and we're skipping school on Friday and going for a road trip!!!!! PARTY!!!! :) Anyhoo..... That's my life update!

Why the incessant madness?

Ok... So I'm in this class called Exception Students. CRAZY! I have a test that opens on Friday, and get this... the ONLY way to recieve an 'A' on the test is if I take it on Friday or Saturday. After that it goes down a third of a grade everyday. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO weird. I'm nowhere CLOSE to being prepared for the test, and I'm not even sure how to get prepared. I'm sure that all the info for the test that my teacher puts online is organized SOMEHOW... but I fail to see the organization strategies... HENCE I'm completely LOST! Oh well I guess it's not the end of the world! :)

On a happier note... I went and took a math test last week and got a 64% on it (NOT THE HAPPY PART..) But my teacher has this policy that if anyone wants to come in after the test and rework the problems, and then take a retake of the problems that we missed than we can recieve up to 50% of the points we lost.... SOOOOOOOO I went in and worked through the problems with him, and took the retake, and I now have an 86% in the test! I say it was DEFINENLTY worth my time!!! :) So I decided after recieving the first score that I was gonna get a math tutor... SO HELPFUL! WOOHOO!!!

Anyhoo... that's an update on my life here at school. The rest of my classes are pertty dang good... not so hard... but if Exceptional Students and Math don't kill me I'm a truly blest person! :)

What to Do About Boys?

So I know I already posted today... but I'm kinda excited for this thing! :) Hahaha... and I was looking through some of my documents that I had saved on my zip drive and found this little thing about boys, and I absolutely LOVE it!!! :) haha... I actually made a really cute picture thing of it to hang up in my apartment to remind all my roomies that there really are awesome guys out there! :) Anyhoo... here it is! Read and enjoy! I'm not sure where it comes from originally, but it's still awesome!

Wait for the Boy

Wait for the boy, who pursues you,
The one who will make an ordinary moment seem magical,
The kind of boy who brings out the best in you
and makes you want to be a better person.

Wait for the boy, who will be your best friend,
The person who will drop everything to be with you,
at any time of the day no matter what the circumstances.

Wait for the boy, who brings you closer to Christ,
Instead of further away,
The boy who will put you at the center of the universe
because he will surely be at the center of yours…
Never settle for less than the best.

Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

Crazy hair escapades! :)

So, I've just started this blog, and wasn't sure what to put on it.... SO I decided to share the newest thing in my life! I DYED MY HAIR! For those of you who know me well you know that that's not really that big of a deal... 'cause honestly I've been doing it for years! Hahaha... BUT... here's the different part.... I cut my bangs too!

So what's even better.... is that I cut my roommate's bangs as well. The only problem there is that they didn't turn out so good. Luckly I have a friend who went to beauty school, so the problem got rectified pretty dang quick! :)