In Five Days....

+I will begin my adventure as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

+I will say goodbye to my family, friends, school, social media...basically the world...for 18 months.

+I will start to wear nothing but skirts, flats, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent. #sessy

+I will read nothing but straight up sciptures.

+I will speak nothing but good ol' Espanol.

+I will start making new friends. hopefully quickly.

+I'm going to learn a whole new meaning for the word tired.

+I will eat a whole lot of platanos.

+I will learn how to journal every day, and hopefully stick to it.

+I will learn to serve everyone around me.

+I am going to fall in love with basically everyone in the Dominican Republic.

+I will be the best missionary Santo Domingo has ever seen. (; #swag 

19 Days and Counting

HAHA. See what I did there?

Alright friends I have nineteen days left in good ol' murica. Man, I'm gonna miss this place.

....or am I.....

I'm going to be a full time missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints pretty dang soon. And I'm going to be that missionary in the beautiful country, The Dominican Republic! Off to the Motherland I go. I've been trying to prepare as best I can and it's not as hard as I thought! Letting go of the "world", I mean. So basically, a mission is gonna be cake.

Anyway. Here are some things that enter my mind 215893548 times a day:

+The Lord knows I can do it...so I can do it....I can do it.

+The Lord is only asking 18 months out of my ENTIRE life.

+Do they have Taco Bell in the Dominican Republic?

+I should probably google that.

+Will my mom be okay? Two missionaries out at the same time. oof. 

+Is this the part in my life where I find out who my real friends are?.....I know not all of you are gonna write me...

+Will I brush up on my Spanish fast enough to be a successful missionary?

+...Yes, Kim. Yes you will. A bunch of your companions  and Elders are going to be LEARNING Spanish...

+Man, I REALLY wish I practiced the piano more...ugh. I have a feeling I'm gonna regret that soon.

+Goal in life right now: BE THE BEST MISSIONARY I CAN BE. #swag

+I hope they like me down there...

+I AM SO EXCITED AHHHHHH ((:

^^last picture I took with this stud^^

Saying "See Ya Later" to Rexburg Went a Little Like This:

When I continue my schooling a couple years from now, I will be entering my senior year. SENIOR YEAR. That's CRAZY! And so exciting!!

I'm so grateful for all the crazy memories I have thanks to Rexburg, Idaho. I'm also grateful for cameras and journals. Yes. I cannot believe I've had the privilege of living there for three whole years. I must be getting old. I've met some of the strangest, happiest, most intriguing, most spiritual, most influential human beings in this cute little town. And when I come back, I'll meet even more people, and that's kinda weird to think about.

--Sammy's, home of famous pie shakes, delicious burgers, and the best employees.--

--taco bus--

^^My dear friend and roommate Kate got engaged on my last day! AHH!!^^

It was a lot harder saying "bye" than I thought it was going to be. I loved my job, I loved my roommates, I loved my classes. Everything was going greater than it's ever been. And I kept thinking about how "it's only 18 months" and "this will be here when I come back" and "thousands of people do this allllll the time." Friends, whether these things are all true or not, it doesn't really help. I met a great deal of people these past couple of semesters that I might never see again! And that seriously broke me! On my last day, I cried forever. I even cried for most of the trip to Utah on the way to the airport. No bueno. So many emotions. And I had never felt SOOOO loved by such a large group of people. They don't even know me all that well but they treated me like they had known me for years. I'm literally the luckiest lady in the world to call these people my friends.

But I know that more adventure awaits me in the Dominican Republic where I'm going to experience things I've never experienced before and meet people that I'm going to love so so so so much. 

So Rexburg, stay precious. I love you! I'll see ya soon.

What I Realize Every Time I Go Home

+ It's much sunnier than Rexburg, Idaho

+ It's much more humid than Rexburg, Idaho

+ I always end up going to Dillard's with my mom, at least once

+ I play trains with Elijah

+ Eli is growing abnormally fast and he's way tall for his age

+ There's always something to reorganize in the house

+ Chris and I quote tv shows and movies like no other

+ Chris and I laugh at everything because we stopped growing at 12

+ I get re-acquainted with my super comfy, super huge bed, and I never wanna leave it

+ I eat my mami's cooking

+ I realize my diet in Rexburg consists of Taco Bell, cereal, and Coke

+ I actually did not make it to the beach while I was home (tearssssssssss)

+ But I did go to Disney World, and it was magical

+ I love driving

+ I don't love driving with my parents in the car

+ My hair gets special treatment by mommabear

+ I get tan....er

+ I get to jump in a pool, even when it's overcast

+ My dad makes me laugh more than anyone, and he doesn't even have to try

+ I wanna record and photograph everything my brothers do

+ I wanna play and hold every baby and child in my ward on Sundays

+ It feels amazing to open the pantry and fridge and find a BUNCH of food you didn't have to pay for

+ I know all the radio stations

+ It's weird. It's just weird being home after being on your own; frustrating at times

+ But in the end, I'm happy. so so so happy

^^lunch at Sam's? don't mind if I do! ^^

^^Easter Sunday^^

^^you guys, I tried the braided crown thing! I think I'll keep it.^^

^^sorry for the crap quality, but his bath time grin! i had to.^^

^^also, he watches tv from everywhere except the seat on the couch^^

^^on our way to the temple (for folks who don't know, it's in Orlando)^^

^^families can be together forever, kids!^^

^^we went to this new-ish place called Happy Cow, soooo yummy!^^

I'm crazy blessed to have the family I have. I love you, guys! Te amo!