I miss him.

I have the greatest Daddy in the world.

If you ever got to know him, you would know how absolutely hilarious he was. He is the reason I talk in weird accents, the reason I can laugh, the reason I have always loved jazz music, the reason I have musical talent, the reason I am the way I am, the reason that I am still here, the reason I am in college, the reason I am Majoring in Business, the reason why I still go to church, and he is my Guardian Angel. 

He taught me to not regret and never look back. Though I don't regret anything in my life, I do wish that I could go back and relive these past six years. 

If I could do that I would have spent more time at home and not so much time with my friends, more long late night talks with him and more conversations about the gospel and his mission with him. My dad was THE greatest missionary that Philadelphia ever had.  

Yes, I am bragging about my dad. But it is because he would have never said any of that. He was the most humble man ever.

Being the only girl in the family I naturally became daddy's little princess. I always got to sit by him in church with his arm around me. Frequently falling asleep on him. He never let me forget that I was his little princess. He never let anyone hurt me, and when my feelings got hurt he made sure to cheer me up with some quality time or an ice cream run or riding our bikes down to circle K and getting slushies. 

My most fond childhood memories are with my dad. He had so many nicknames for me, erbear, bear, erhead, bugs butt, princess, and so many more embarrassing ones that should never be mentioned outside the realms of our house. Ever since I was little I would try to wrap my arms completely around him, I underestimated how small of a kid I actually was. So since I couldn't put my arms around him, naturally his name became Big O' Daddy O'. Classy, right? I don't know I have been surviving without him, it is still hard to believe that he is not here. There is not a day that goes by that I don't think about him. He is always on my mind. Always. 

What my dad loved more than his own family are just people in general. He loved everyone he met. He always invited people over for dinner, most the time missionaries, and he could talk for hours. Just getting to know them. He loved people! Now, you all see why I hate being alone and am a social guru. 

Missionaries. My dad LOVED missionaries. My dad was the ward mission leader once, but I feel like that was his calling in life. We always had missionaries over, teaching us lessons, eating dinner with us, or serving us. It was amazing to watch my dad interact with them. It was like he was young again, they brought out the youth in him and he would start talking about his mission. He was so passionate about his mission and the gospel in general. He knew that there was always something new that he could learn. And he always found new stuff to teach me and my brothers. 

My favorite pictures of my dad are from when me and my brothers were younger. You can just see how happy he is to have kids, he really did love us a lot. 

On May 22nd 2010 my father passed away after a four year battle with cancer. 

I have never known anyone stronger than my father. While he was spending his last few days in the hospice, nurses would say they were amazed that he was holding on for so long, they called him Superman, because he was a super hero to me. My father was the most amazing man on this earth, I learned everything that I know from him. I have a passion for the gospel because I got to walk into my dad's office every single morning when I was younger and sit on his lap as he read his scriptures to me. I love people because Dad showed me how to love. I love music because Dad loved music and always supported us in our school musicals or orchestra concerts or piano recitals or voice recitals. My dad had a passion for life and making the best of what he had. There will never be another man on this earth like my dad. 

Families are forever.

The gospel is true, the plan of salvation is real. I am so happy that my parents were sealed in the temple, so one day, I will be able to return to my Heavenly Father and my father that I had here on earth.
I love you dad and I can't wait to be with you again in heaven. 

One step at a time.

April has been the craziest month of my life, full of new surprises and new challenges.

After my finals I packed up my room, threw all my stuff on my bed packed my bags and got ready to go to to ARIZONA! I slept a total of one hour and thirty minutes that night from 3:30am to 5am. Nug came and picked me up and it was snowing, like crazy! We went and picked up Eric and we were off to AZ. We honestly couldn't see thirty feet in front of us and I am pretty sure we drove 60mph the whole way there.
After 16 hours and pit stops in Provo, Page and Flagstaff we were finally home! When we walked into my families house, no one was home and no one was answering their phones... JR and Joseph finally showed up. Then Mom. Then Blake. Eric was so nervous, he won't admit it but he was.
The coming week was the best week of my life. Every day we were doing something or going somewhere. We went to the science center, the phoenix zoo, floated down the river at night on a mattress, I got to meet Eric's grandma, Aunt and Uncle, and we tanned and I dropped my phone in to pool. Unlucky? most definitely.
Nonetheless. It was the best week of my life.

We love giraffes so much <3

We loved the science center :)

We're in love, alright. 

I honestly have the best boyfriend ever. I love him :)

So, our amazing week ended and Eric went home to California and I went back to school in Rexburg. School started and one day into the semester I got a friendly little call from our executive secretary Steve, one of the nicest kids I know, telling me that Bishop would like to see the next night, Thursday. My heart stopped, I was instantly nervous. The whole next day the only thing running through my mind was, "Why does bishop want to talk to me. There is no way I am going to be Relief Society President. I'm only 19. It's my third semester." I was freaking out. 

So Thursday night came and I walked to the Benson building, so slow. I got there and had a friendly conversation with Steve, he kept telling me I have nothing to worry about. For some reason that only made me more nervous. Bishop came out and invited me into his office. I say down and he said, "Erin, it is no surprise that I called you in here." and I was thinking... oh no oh no ohhh nooo. "Eric, we normally would never call someone as young as you to this calling, but every once in a while it happens. You were fantastic last semester and I know you gained a testimony of Relief Society. So with that being said, I would like for you to be the Relief Society President." 

Pretty sure I stared at him. I had nothing to say. Eventually I said, I accept. And that was that. I started walking home and I had to call my mom. When I told her she wasn't even surprised at all. She knew it was coming, along with everyone else apparently. When I stood up in church to be sustained, no one was surprised. Everyone told me they knew it was going to happen. Everyone knew but me. I have never been more busy in my entire life. Every day I have loads of homework and I have girls calling me and texting me and wanting to know about their callings and this and that. Now, saying that, I am so happy I am the President. I am thankful for the challenge, especially right now in my life when everything else just isn't falling in to place how I want it to, I get to help other girls and serve others instead of worrying about my own problems I can focus on other peoples problems and help them to the best of my ability. Life is just beautiful.

Spring 2012, bring. it. on.

Now here is the really big news.....

MY MOM IS GETTING MARRIED!!!!!

CONGRATS to the most important woman in my life. I love you Mom and I am so happy for you and Brian. 

Seriously, they are precious. 

I can't wait any longer. In 2 days I am flying off to California to see the love of my life and I have never been more excited to see anyone in my entire life. Then from California to Arizona for my mom's wedding, then back to dreary Rexburg. That's okay. I can't for these next two weeks :) 

Here's the thing, we saw each other three weeks ago, and we are already dying. It is hard going from spending every second together then to living hundreds of miles away from each other. Long distance is not easy, but I know that it is going to be so worth it :) 

one more day till he turns 22

two more days till we are reunited