Oh Baby...

So as many of you know and are experiencing... this week is finals week. Most people are almost done or completely done with their finals by Thursday...nope, not me! This is my own fault; however, I have been studying and not slacking off. I don't think I remember a week in my scholastic career where I have been so stressed out! I just keep telling myself that it will all be over soon and then i can finally enjoy Christmas. I have learned a few things and have had a couple of realizations over the past couple of days:

1. I am way too highly emotional and over dramatic at late hours of the night.
2. When feeling large amounts of stress, I become on the verge of psychotic.
3. My body requires 8 hours of sleep to function properly.
4. I am a much happier person every other week of the year, except this one.

Needless to say, I feel like the cat in the picture.

Holiday Fun!

Beautiful snow-the view from my apartments
Pretty temple square lights

I love Christmas time! It's a bit different trying to celebrate the holiday in college-you have finals and so much to do that I realized I really haven't done many Christmasy things. One thing we did do is go to temple square to see the lights. I love doing this! It is so beautiful and really is a great way to put you in the Christmas spirit. However, the night we were there it was super super freezing and really busy...but that's ok, I still loved it. Also, today it finally snowed! I hurried out with my camera to take a picture-I've been wanting it to snow so badly! And I was a little miffed when I got a phone call from my family in Houston, Texas the other day saying it had snowed there! What the heck?! When does it ever snow in Houston and not Provo?? They even sent me a picture of their little snowman they built, they were so proud! Anyways, I hope everyone is having a great holiday season!

Thanksgiving!

This Thanksgiving I got to go to Devon's house in Burley, ID-we had so much fun! We got in Tuesday night and ate dinner with his family and then some of his high school friends came over. It was fun to be able to meet them and to get to know Devon's family better. The next day we spent pretty much all in Twin Falls. We went to see the new temple there, went to the mall and then went to some water falls that were so beautiful! That night we went on a double date with Devon's friend Brock-we went out to eat and then roasted smores. The next day was Thanksgiving! We started off by watching the Macy's Thanksgiving day parade (a tradition in my family) and then helped a bit before dinner. Alot of Dev's extended family were able to come, so I think there was about 25 people at dinner. We played games later that night and visited with all the family. The next morning I had to leave to get back to work for the oh so highly anticipated black Friday. It was a really nice break, and I was so glad to be able to spend it with the Gibby's. Here are just a couple of pictures-most of the Thanksgiving pics are on Devon's camera, but here's a couple from our trip:



On our way to Burley, I know....this could be our most attractive picture yet!In Twin Falls at the new temple

The product of my father

So today I was thinking about my family and trying to figure out which one of them I am most like...and I've decided that as I have gotten older I have become so much more like my dad! My dad has very strong views on certain things, and as I've gotten older I've realized that my views are pretty much the same when it comes to politics and such. I called him last night ranting about a certain political issue that's been bugging me, and he just laughed at my emphatic views on the matter....it all comes from you, dad! Also, my dad loves people and is a very social person. I always am impressed by how many different connections and friends he has throughout the world-I love people too; I love meeting new people, getting to know about them, and making new friends. This is always a trait I have admired about him. For those of you who REALLY know my dad, he is kind of an emotional guy; needless to say, I follow in his footsteps. We both share the gift of crying...well, I don't know if it's really a gift. This really is something I appreciate though-my dad is very emotional, especially when it comes to his children. I remember at a young women's activity each father had to tell a little bit about their daughter. When it came my dad's turn he started talking about the day I was born...and the crying began. At the time I was embarrassed, but as I look back on it now I realize that he only cries when something is really important to him; I appreciate his emotional side. I'm glad my dad and I share different traits; being away from home and talking on the phone to him often has really made me realize just how much we have in common! He is one of my greatest friends, and I'm really grateful for the relationship we share.

Blessings

So I decided that since it is the month of Thanksgiving, I should take some time to remember why I am so blessed. So here it goes:

1. I have an AMAZING family-immediate and extended. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family who does so much for me and loves me!
2. I have the most loyal, wonderful friends in the world! And an amazing boyfriend :)
3. I live in the best country in the world--where so many opportunities are available
4. I attend a great university, where I receive an excellent education
5. I do not have any debilitating diseases and am able to see, hear and walk!
6. I have financial security-a home to live in, food to eat, nice clothes to wear, and a job.
7. I have been born into the gospel, and have a testimony of the happiness it brings!
8. I live in a beautiful place, with gorgeous scenery
9. I have talents that bring me joy, and that I can expand on

Now for the more trivial blessings:
10. my car! --love this thing :) it takes me to wherever I need to go
11. yummy food--i love food, esp. good food. it brings me so much happiness
12. my ipod--music is such a huge part of my life, my favorite is to listen to it while I'm getting ready
13. my cell phone--oh my, what would i do w/out this thing! it's my lifeline to a world outside of BYU...
14. make-up! oh my, how grateful i am for this...
15. television--keeps me updated on my fav. shows
16. computers--amazing invention.

There are so many other things that I could list...this is just a short summary. I'm grateful for this time of year that we have to really think about what we're grateful for, hopefully we can remember that all year round!

Baby Mania!

So I've had a very strange baby hungry yearning lately...where does this come from you may ask?? I have no stinkin clue! I'm not married, so it's not even remotely possible...so why do I want one? Is this normal? I ask myself...do other people feel this way? I work at a kids clothing store, so I see cute kids and babies all of the time; plus, I see adorable baby clothes constantly and want to buy them. But for who? Definitely not me. On top of this, I have baby dreams! I either dream that I'm pregnant or have a baby. Exhibit A: Last night I dreamed that I had a 2 year old baby boy named Logan. He was the cutest, sweetest baby ever! He had bright blonde, curly hair and big blue eyes-adorable. Anways, this is my ranting topic of the day-do other people feel like this? Is baby mania normal?

"A Collection of Thoughts" By: Ashley L. Vincent...

Thought #1:
I love the fall! Today as I was walking from class, the sun was shining, the leaves were blowing, and it was just an absolute beautiful day. I have been noticing lately how pretty the leaves are getting. Devon and I went on a walk in the canyon on Sunday, and it was just gorgeous! I'm so happy that I live in such a beautiful place.

Thought#2:
Domestication (Is this a word?). This is my new goal. I have found that I rather enjoy cooking and have decided to broaden my cooking horizon's to make a new goal and try cooking new recipes. I would also like to be a bit more crafty, and possibly take up sewing one day. However, it will not be for a while considering school seems to be more important at the moment.

Thought #3:
Throughout my experience working at The Children's Place I have discovered something...the mother's of Utah are beautiful! I see these mom's come in all of the time looking absolutely perfect-dressed well, hair is great-and the amazing thing is that their children look the same. I don't know how they do it...I strive to be like this one day--hopefully that doesn't sound too vein. However, I do realize that other things are much more important.

Thought #4:
Samuel the Lamanite is amazing! Today as I was reading my scriptures I realized just how much courage and guts it must have taken him to preach repentance from the top of a wall. When I realize that the people I so admire in the scriptures are real, I am in awe. I don't know if I would have the strength or gall to do some of the things they do- they are all my heroes :)

Thought #5:

The other day I went to Kung Fu Panda and one line really stuck with me. The old turtle (can't remember his name) said something like "Each day is a gift, that is why it is called the present". (bet you didn't know animated movies were so inspiring!) Anyways, I LOVED that and really think it's true. Each day is truly a gift filled with new adventures, opportunites and blessings-- my new goal is to tr y and realize that, and live accordingly

We carved pumpkins for a date we went on. Our's is the cat on the right, hopefully you can tell it's a cat...Me, Devon, and pretty tree-on a walk in the canyon