The Queen

My cat thinks she's the ruler of us all.

This is not an abnormal occurrence at all. 

Temple Time.

Today I went to the Temple. It was one of the most important days of my life.

I love my parents and our squinty faces in the bright sun.

Different Paths.

This was in September: 

I'd only known these girls for a couple week at the time. But now they are some of my best friends and so much has changed in our lives.

And this was in April. Two of them got married. I got my mission call. One is working for Disney. One is leaving for Denmark soon and the other one is working back on the East Coast. Even though we've all gone on our different paths I'll always be grateful for them!

Because of Him.

I loved Easter. It's such a good time to celebrate all the things Christ did that make my life wonderful. If you haven't seen this video, take a moment and watch it!

Here is a picture my sweet sister took of me. Some pre-mish pictures! I can't wait to be a missionary.

"El Libro de Mormon" Pretty cool stuff. 

How I spent my birthday.

I'm not a huge fan of birthdays so I think I made the right decision when I agreed to have my wisdom teeth removed that day. It's like it never happened! So I'm not even aging! haha. Here are some of the sweet moments that anesthesia gave me:

This is me talking to my brother on the phone.

Side effects may include drowsiness: AKA I'm asleep for the next five and a half hours.

Even my evil cat was concerned and spent the whole day by my side. Pretty tender. 

Happy Birthday to me. 

Thinking about home...

I have like 4  homes now. HOME home. SWEDEN home. TEXAS home. and SCHOOL home. Today I'm thinking about school and my sweet roommates and friends there.

This was from our last night in town. I sure do love these sweet people.

Reunited and it feels so good.

I have returned home and I'm back with my family and crazy cat... She's not super happy about it but I am!

Her look of disgust is priceless.

She'll just have to get over it! 

I said YES!

... to my mission call. My acceptance letter was sent today! I can't believe how quickly things are moving forward.

I love you Texas. 

Done and Done.

My first year of college is done. I have a lot of mixed feelings about this that I don't think I'll talk about on my blog. ANYWAY. Last night I was up until about 4:40 and then I woke up at 6:45 to take two finals back to back. Not just any finals either. Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry. It was rough.

Beginning[ish] of studying. 

Several hours in. 

At least my roommate was there for part of it to keep me company as we ate burritos and no bake cookies. My life is pretty good still. 

Ready for a break

Last weekend was so much fun. I visited Utah for General Conference! If you want to see what it is all about listen to some of it here. I had a ton of fun with my sweet nephews and friends. Unfortunately I had to return to a week of school. And not just any week. Finals week. I have 6 tests and two papers/projects. So far I have:
+++ taken a humanities final
+++written a paper for New Testament
+++taken my anatomy and physiology exam
+++finished my last chemistry homework
And in just a bit I'm going to take my chemistry test. Not the final. The test, that was conveniently scheduled the week of the final. OH WELL! Life is good. Really I'm so happy and blessed to be going to school.

The library has seen a lot more of me than I would like it to. 

But in a week or two I will be wishing I was back here. So I'll enjoy it while it lasts. 

Still celebrating

I can't believe my call came! And I'm going to Texas!!!! I'm so happy. Life is oh so good.

This is one of my good friends from the ward and my FHE sister. She got her mission call the same day. She's headed to PARIS! I am so excited for her. 

Our Home Teachers are the best. They got TWO of us off on missions. Or at least they're taking credit for it:)

Call me Hermana

Dear Sister Ries, you are hereby called as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Texas Houston South Mission. You should report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language. I couldn't be happier because I KNOW that is exactly where I'm meant to be. I am so excited to go to TEXAS!

Some people weren't as excited;) kidding!!! 

Before I opened my call. Freaking out. 

I love this picture with people's reactions.

Shouts of joy to the family. 

"No one guessed Texas! You were all wrong!" hahah

And then this tender moment happened.... My roommates went in together and bought me a new set of scriptures with "Sister Ries" engraved into them.... But you can call me Hermana Ries. See you soon Texas. You have my heart already.

Waiting Patiently.

Today it has been 3 weeks since I submitted my papers, and I think it might be the first time I feel a little anxious for my call to get here. But it SHOULD be tomorrow. We'll know in less than 24 hours! In other news, I love my crazy roommates.

It was our last Sunday all together. 

April 1st is for fools.

My day has been full of awful pranks:

+++Peanut Butter on the inside of door handles
+++toilet paper rolls being completely gone and hid
+++dying my milk purple
+++short sheeting
+++tin foil in my pillow
+++cool-aid in the shower head (I was almost a red head)

But hey! Here is some good news: My mission call has been assigned and sent. It should be in my hands either tomorrow or Thursday. So stay tuned folks!