just a quick note

So finals are finally bearing down upon me. I'm glad in one way because it means the semester is almost over and I get to see my family. But on the other hand, it's a very stressful time filled with many many hours spent in the library. Needless to say, I will be taking a break from blogging for the next week and a half or so since studying is definitely my top priority right now.

I hope I survive!! ;)

my family.

As I was typing up my last post (about the house plans), I realized that I haven't said much about myself.

I'm Erin. I'm almost done with my first year at Brigham Young University. I am the oldest of 3 children- I have 2 younger brothers (Braden, 13yrs. and Dallin, 9yrs.) who are so great!

This is Braden on his first day of 8th grade.

Here's Dallin on his first day of 3rd grade.

I also have an adorable black lab named Lucy. She is 2yrs. old (I think). She is hyper and loves being around the family. Sometimes she acts just like a human

Lucy playing in the leaves- isn't this an awesome picture?

Here's one of Lucy and me. This was one of my Senior Pictures.

For the last 10 yrs or so, my family lived in Tomball, TX (near Houston). Then last summer, while I was getting ready to leave for college, my family moved to Virginia (near Washington DC) because my dad was transfered there for work. Luckily it is only a temporary transfer and they'll be moving back to Tomball this summer before school starts.

My family- I miss them so much!

Here's a picture from Christmas break.
My brothers and I were having a snowball fight!

This picture is a little old, but I still like it.
It was taken in December 2006.

I love my family. They are so amazing. The last school year has been really difficult for me because I've been so homesick. Thank heavens for cell phones- I call my mom at least once a day! I'm sure she gets a little annoyed, but I love talking to her!

I can't wait for the semester to be over (only 16 days) because I'll be able to spend the entire summer with my family!

New House!

I was talking to my Mom the other day and was asking her about our plans for the summer when we move back to Tomball. She's been looking at houses whenever she visits for her monthly work meeting. She told me that so far they are thinking about building a house in a new neighborhood named Cypress Trails. They also have a house plan that they really like (see below). None of this is set in stone yet, but this was what the plan is so far. My mom and dad are going to visit in May and walk through a model home with this same plan to make sure it's what they really want.As for me, I really hope they build this house! It is so great. If this is the house we get, my room (which would also be the guest room) would be bedroom 4. I'd have my own bathroom and a walk in closet!! Braden's room would be bedroom 2 and Dallin's would be bedroom 3. I love the layout of the house. There is so much room. Everyone would have their own walk in closet (which is soo cool!) and there's a media room upstairs too. And...there's a slight possibility that we'd have a pool built at the same time!!

I am so excited about moving into a new house...even if we don't get this one. I'm kind of sad that I won't really get to live in it- just on vacations and visits. But I guess that's what happens when you grow up.

Solemn Assembly

General Conference is always an uplifting experience, but today's was especially great. The Saturday Morning included the Solemn Assembly. In my memory, I haven't been through one of these. Basically, whenever a new President of the Church is sustained (in this case, it's Thomas S. Monson), a Solemn Assembly takes place. What happens is, each quorum and group of the Church stands up one at a time and sustains the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelves Apostles. First, the First Presidency stood up and raised their hands to sustain. Then the Quorum of the Twelve, and then both Quorums of Seventy. Then the High Priests, then Elders, then Aaronic Priesthood quorums. Then they had members of the Relief Society, followed by the Young Women. After each quorum and/or group stood up individually, they called for every member of the Church to stand and sustain the leaders together.

This was an amazing experience for me. I loved standing up and being able to publicly demonstrate that I sustain these leaders as Prophets, Seers, and Revelators, and that they are called of God to lead His church. I was overwhelmed with an amazing feeling when I realized that at the same time, millions of other people all around the world, speaking all kinds of languages, in all walks of life, were standing together showing their support for these wonderful leaders. I am so grateful that I was able to witness this wonderful event. It was just an inspiring moment for me. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Arizona!

This weekend has been so much fun! I spent it in Arizona visiting some cousins. I'm actually still here...I'll be heading back to Utah tomorrow sometime.


So Thursday night after my evening Book of Mormon class, my aunt picked me up. My aunt, grandma, and cousin drove all night to Phoenix. I helped drive when my aunt was too tired. We arrived at my cousin Cassi's house around 5am. It was a long night.


Friday night, we picked up Cara (another cousin) from the airport and then everyone went to dinner at a really good Mexican restaurant. It was nice to eat Mexican food that was not fake-like what's up in Utah. ;)


Cara's babyshower was on Saturday (today). It was nice. The shower was held at her parents-in-law's home. It is the nicest house I've ever seen! It's huge and just amazing. They have a regular piano, a grand piano, and an organ! Isn't that crazy?? Wow. Anyway, the shower was fun. Cara got a lot of really cute baby girl clothes. I gave her some BYU stuff- a onesie, a bib, and a pair socks. Very cute.


After the shower, my grandma and I left to stay at my other aunt's house. That's where I am now. It's so fun to visit with my 3 cousins. I don't see them often, so today was fun. Today was conference, so my uncle and cousin went to the Priesthood session. My grandma, aunt, and 2 cousins went to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. It was pretty good and it was just nice to spend time with them.


This weekend was so great. I've looked forward to this trip for a long time. It was exactly what the doctor prescribed! I've been pretty stressed and homesick and frustrated, so leaving for the weekend was amazing. I feel rejuvenated and just so much happier. I think it's definitely going to help me get through the next two weeks.