late night food runs and good byes.

well... let's be honest, this is probably my last post before London! {especially with my slacking blog skills over this last summer} I can't believe how fast the last couple of days have gone by! And in case you're wondering, I still haven't even pulled out my suitcase to pack yet. ooops. Life has been pretty busy. proof:

Ice cream and Harry Potter with Kels

morning jogs have probably become my favorite part of the day. probably because I live in such a beautiful place ^^

Celebrating/mourning my last night at the theater! 3 years since I started working there, and I loved {almost} every moment of it! My coworkers were the bomb. ...and mark was a bonus since he doesn't work actually work there

Marissa was baptized! WOW. it was the best baptism ever.

Nathan gave his farewell talk! {and yes, I'm short} This kid is awesome, Ecuador is so lucky.

this is actually from forever ago, but our adventures this summer have been great.

Mom: Let's take a picture!
Us: make funny faces
Mom: No, serious picture!
Us: *immediately makes an even dorkier face*

We dropped him off at BYU today!

I said goodbye to my Prius today {"my" as in "my parents prius since they paid for it but just let me call it mine"} I'll sure miss you, my sweet little MJ. It's been real. We've had some great memories over the last year.

Guys, I went through some serious BYU withdrawls today. Serious. Dropping Zach off and getting to see Cady one last time was so bittersweet. I love BYU with all of my heart. Just seeing all those awesome kids walking around... ahhhh. While I was in the bookstore I started talking to two guys behind me in line and they just invited me to watch the game with them this weekend. Talk about me missing friendly {and handsome} people like them! {dang london. ruining my hanging-out-with-handsome-rms social life.} Also, when they asked me what year I was, it was the best feeling in the world to be able to say "sophomore" because I lost far too many conversations last year to the freshmen factor. Thank you for getting older. TWO YEARS TILL I'M BACK AT BYU, BABY. And in case you're wondering, right after those two {handsome} boys invited me to their football game watching party I told them I was leaving for a study abroad, so we started talking about that. Then my mom walked up and loudly exclaimed "and she turned in her mission papers yesterday!" dang, killer of a conversation. even more so than the freshmen thing. It's a rough life, ya know. *sigh* it's all good.

Tomorrow we head back home, then I'll have a solid 36 hours to pack for London! Then the real adventures begin (:

-Erica

it's august 24th already?

well, hi there. once again, I am alive and my attempt to keep up this blog over this summer failed horribly. Not to fear though... I am ELEVEN days away from blogging in L O N D O N, so that's cool. And by cool I actually mean: I've created a very thorough packing list but haven't actually made a single move to further the whole "moving across the world" thing. It just doesn't really feel real yet. Hopefully it will by this weekend since I should probably pack or something. But here... have some very random tidbits from the last few months:

***anyone who knows me even semi-well knows of my love for diet coke. If I'm being honest, I actually can't stand other soda. Root beer now makes me want to throw up. Sprite is far too sweet. Regular coke. ew. don't even get me started. But diet coke? Well... everyone has to have one thing, right? I found this gem just the other day {not sure how I missed it when she first posted}. Believe you me, when I hit up provo again in 2016, you can bet your bottom dollar I will be trying all of these.

***remember how I hiked Mount Sneffels? My friend Erica {yes. the two Ericas} took some wonderful pictures of it! You should look at her website {ericalaurendesign.com}

***this summer I was able to teach with the Sister Missionaries a lot. It was such an awesome learning experience and opened my eyes to how hard I'm going to have to work for 18 months on my mission. Sister Jones has been here all summer and I have loved getting to know her! Her testimony and love of the gospel and Jesus Christ is so apparent in everything she does. She goes home this week and so obviously we had to take a picture! Her companion is Sister Patera, who, just like Sister Jones, is amazing! I was so blessed to get to know these sisters. They got me so excited for my mission. I LOVED spending part of this summer with them!
{also, we asked a nine year old to take our picture. don't do that if quality is a priority. also, he knew how to work my camera because it was an iphone. but. he didn't know how to work a real camera. what has this world come to??}

This blog has just turned into a lot of awkward, low quality photos. oh well.

***This Wednesday is my last day of work. Let me tell you, I am so excited. I'll miss the theater like crazy, but this summer has been all work and I'm ready to be done with it. and to finish paying my dad back for london. but that's beside the point.

full time job + part time job + violin students + office cleaning = no fun

actually I take that back. I've really enjoyed my jobs this summer. They've just given me a really, really good reason to graduate college. I'm not going to consider myself successful until I no longer have to work weekend night shifts. Once those stop, I'll know I've arrived.

Can we talk about how much I LOVED teaching my five year old student? I wanted to cry after I finished her lesson last week. Plus she drew me the cutest picture and they gave me some Euros.
My violin student  > yours

***I spent thursday night hanging out with Kym, her friend Kenzie, and Kelsey! It was the first time I had seen Kym in a year... crazy. We went to Coffee Trader {duh. where else?} then decided to head to the Drive In! So I raced home, asked if I could use my mom's car, and grabbed some blankets. For whatever reason we ended up taking my dad's truck. well ya'll, that is a very large truck. But I decided I quite love driving it and listening to country music and everything else that comes with this beautiful home town of mine. The drive-in ended up being closed so we headed up to sunset mesa and spent the evening watching the sunset, eating dove chocolate and raisenets, and catching up. These girls are the greatest and it was fun getting to see Kym again!

***Today was a special Stake Conference. Our stake had the wonderful opportunity of hosting Bishop Gerald Gausse from the presiding bishopric! It was amazing {also, there was a special meeting yesterday in Grand Junction for the missionaries... Elder Oaks was there! Yes, I really am jealous I didn't get to go. Nonetheless, today was great}
He and his wife both gave the best talks. In fact, his wife's talk was my favorite out of all the people that spoke! {his was great too, don't worry} She talked about accepting changes and having the faith to follow what our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ ask of us. I loved the talk so much because it's a subject I've been thinking about a lot lately. The last year or so has come with a lot of change and the next couple years will bring even more. I went off to college without truly realizing how much BYU would impact me. As I came home and started being around people I was around during high school, I noticed that just one year at BYU had changed me a great deal more than I had anticipated it would. Because I had changed, a lot around me had too. My priorities have become really different than a lot of people around me. {also... shock of hearing a cuss word for the first time in 8 months? it was real.} In a few months I'll be a missionary and it'll be even more apparent then. I'll give up a lot of things for those 18 months. With all this change in my life, I've realized that I'm not as close to some of people I was before and I've made completely new friends who share the same standards and beliefs and goals in life as me. Sister Gausse talked about when her husband was called to be a General Authority. It meant leaving France and moving to Utah. She left a couple of her daughters home while they attended college and her other children all had to be enrolled in english-speaking education in Utah. She left friends and her home and everything else to follow what had been asked of her and her husband. I also can't help but think about my ancestors who were in the Martin Handcart Company. They left Denmark and traveled to a new country to follow the saints to Utah. They literally gave up most of their possessions to walk thousands of miles across an unknown country and ended up being stranded in an early winter with no food. When I think of what other people give up to follow Jesus Christ, I can't help but think that maybe having to become a little bit of a different person, even if that means not being as close to some of my old friends or not spending as much time on pinterest so I can study my scriptures a little more, isn't that bad at all.
Haha, all right, that was a long schpeal, but I had to get it out there.

***My mom and I watched Anne of Green Gables. not sure it that's actually blog worthy, but I'm just sayin that it's not a summer with the Deckers if you don't watch Anne of Green Gables. and yes, I can still quote every single line. #talent

***Most importantly: Ryan and Tiffany are going to have their baby any time! {did I even mention that Tiffany was pregnant?} Anyways, I'm so dang excited for that little guy to get there! And they are going to be the greatest parents.



I can't believe that the summer is coming to an end so quickly! It's been a great summer filled with lots of adventures and new learning experiences {most of which haven't been documented in any way, shape, or form, which makes me really sad}. But it's been a good way to end living at home in Montrose {never again though. I love my parents and I love Colorado but I am over living at home. except the food. you can't get over my mom's wonderful cooking} Peace out.

-Erica

water fights//drive-in//boating//work.

well, hello there! I have finally gotten around to uploading my iphone pictures to my laptop... so here's my last few days.

My friends and I planned the most epic water fight EVER! I didn't get many pictures because it was just too much dang fun! Let just say that it consisted of about 1000 water balloons, water guns, other water stuff, and ended with a slip-n-slide. It was possibly the best day ever.

We went to the drive-in last week to see Now You See Me and After Earth... yepp... my town has a drive in! I love it (:

Here, have a crappy picture of the screen!

Also... I adore my job. Look at these cute kids!

I did all my college *dorm room* shopping! Hello under-the-bed organizers, hangers, hampers, ice cube trays, towels, and of course... my new bedspread! (which we had to order online from target because it was out of stock)

Sunday was spent eating homeade Blueberry-Lemon pound cake and homeade ice cream (my mommy rocks) and watching the Men's Wimbledon Final! (I was quite disappointed with the outcome.)

Last nigh was spent boating (of course). Just my parents and I! AAANNNDDD... drum roll please... I can finally jump- like actually get air! (from only one way, but I'm not going to say that out loud). So that was quite exciting!

And, I believe that's it! Sorry I've slacked on the blogging aspect of things, this summer is flying by!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

I can't believe I'm saying this.

but I adore working. I love it. I love my jobs, I love the people I work with, and I really adore the fact I have something to do {even if some days I wish I had a little bit more time}. It sounds crazy, but I get really excited that I get to go to work. First of all, my day job is super great. I get to work with a bunch of really cute little kids... heck, today I got paid to tie dye shirts, fill up water balloons, and play water balloon dodge ball. Not to mention that I get paid to eat a snack and talk to little kids EVERY SINGLE time I work. my job is the best ever. I wish I could just post a million pictures of how adorable these little kids are! I will admit that there are some days that I come home exhausted from chasing 6 year olds around for 5 hours, and sometimes I complain about some of the little kids never listening, but don't get me wrong: I wouldn't trade this job from any other summer job!

Then I get to work with some amazing people at my other job. plus I get free movies. and so does my best friend. What the heck could be better?!?

I think that's about all for now. Just thought I'd stop by and brag about me having the most wonderful summer jobs ever.

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

under construction.

I'm so excited to announce that...

I can no longer stand the look of my blog! 

Therefore, over the next few days, I am going to completely redesign my blog. Pages, tabs, links, sidebar, buttons, pictures, everything.

So, if you visit my blog and it looks a bit disoriented, that's why! I most likely won't be blogging about anything else before then {not to mention the fact that I'm behind on blogging anyways} so this will be my last post for a few days! I blame my blogging absence on the fact that I worked 33 hours this week. That's right folks! It may not be quite full-time, but that's the most I've ever worked in one week!

See ya later!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

10 things//update.

So much has happened, I mean really, it has been a great start to my summer (: Some stuff I may be blogging about later...  but here are a few quick updates-

1. this sweet little graduation present came in the mail a few days ago:

yep. 15 inch MacBook Pro. I love it. That's an understatement actually. (fyi, I did have to pay for a part of it... I'm not that spoiled! Thank you graduation money!)

2. because of #1... this is literally what I've done with my life:

(no, not take pictures of myself). I just lay on my bed, headphones in (yep, two door cinema club still), and read blogs, pinterest/tumblr, and then read more blogs. literally. that's it.

3. Work. work. work. work. work.
That's all I feel like I'm going to be doing this summer. I got a second job... and a third job! (a couple weeks ago, but I forgot to tell ya'll's about it)

4. youtube and pandora. what would I do without it??

5. I moved my sewing machine back into my room. next week is gonna be full of thrift shopping and pinterest craft days with this lovely lady (:
*please note that we went thrift shopping before it was cool.*

6. Katie and I have been hanging out the last few days... and it's been lots and lots and lots and lots of fun, just enjoying summer, watching stars {I saw my first shooting star!}, laughing hysterically at Pirates of the Caribbean {the second one}, and so on. great fun I tell you.

7. Evan and Caitlin are here for a few days while their parents are in San Diego (lucky ducks!). gosh, my nephew and niece are cuter than yours. no offense of course, just speaking the truth!

8. I'm going to go get my hair cut next week. and I'm so sad because it's finally growing out, but I want to get rid of all the dead ends, then let it grow all summer before college. ohhhh the problems of being a girl.

9. next week is our ward youth temple trip! I am soooo stinkin excited about it. it's been forever since I've been on a temple trip, but I already have the days off of work, so no one is stopping me this time! (:

10. life is great right now. I mean, no more homework, instead- sleeping in, hanging out with friends/adorable nephew and niece, laughing, inside jokes, star gazing, working, reading, blogging, and sewing. what else could I possibly ask for??


I hope your week is going just as fantastically as mine!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle

work.

two blogs in one day? historic, really. well, like i've said many a time (such as in this post), i love my job. my dear little theater. well... a magazine did an article about it:

The Shelter Magazine.

(google images search)

well, yep, i quite enjoy my job, but today made me love it even more. why? because... well... this random group of people i was getting snacks for told me i looked like a movie star. i mean, how could you not love a job that you get such wonderful (random) compliments?? i mean, i had no make up (not that i really wear much anyways) and i was wearing my work uniform, and they just told me that i looked like i could be a movie star and that i "have a demanding presence" (not sure if that's a compliment or even what that means... but still). i was grateful. and, with some of my weird experiences over the last few weeks... i will never judge someone by their appearance. never. never ever again.and that, is my lesson of the day. 

sincerely,

erica michelle

my friends are better than your friends.

no offense of course... but it's true. just sayin. why? because my friends are AWESOME. like, that's an understatement.

saturday.
Danielle was here, (like i said), so i had a little photography shoot with my little neice and nephew because, ya know, i'm in photography and needed to take pictures of them... sadly, like 5 actually turned out well. but oh well(: it was still fun!

 

 Evan!

THHEENN... saturday night i went to a birthday party... that's right folks, Mikelle is 16! aanndd, we went to Wal-Mart. because that's what we do. and it was hilarious. we found some strange things:

 

 

 

 

 Then, i came home and watched Hunger Games... yeppp.

sunday.
sunday, was,... how you say... a rough day. i played violin in church, and let's just say that i should probably begin practicing before an hour till church... i didn't work out so well, and i cried, and laudydaudydah...

monday.

 homecoming spirit week: pajama day!

this, my folks, is when i officially hit rock bottom. not like the, i hate my life, i'm sad, kinda rock bottom, but "i don't care what anyone thinks of me, i'm going to do whatever i want" rock bottom. and that is why i wore my 2 dollar, 3 years old, old man, black sweats with holes in them. they're my favorite article of clothing i own, but i've never worn them in public before because they are truly the extent of ugly sweats. but, i don't care. 100% anymore. and it feels amazing(:

we made shirts for tuesday(:

 

monday night was...
POWDERPUFF FOOTBALL!!!
*note: i can't play football to save my life... but it was fun anyways, and i got to play twice(:

game: seniors vs. sophomores

score: 23-12

yeppp(:

 

and i left my phone with these girls (who were AMAZING and came to watch!)
and they took like 1092384710958 pictures, it was pretty entertaining looking through my phone afterward!

 

 

tuesday.
  
homecoming spirit week: tank top day!

 sooo... we had made shirts that said "this shirt is a tank top" cuz, you know, i'm like mormon, and i don't wear tank tops. i thought it was clever(:

 it rained. it was amazing. i looovvee the rain, aanndd colorado really needs it.

 Kelly, Katie, Sam, and I went to the board meeting to get recognized for FCCLA nationals(:

 then, i went to mutual, which was great fun(:

 James! (this boy turned 16 today... holy cow!!)

and after, i went tie shipping with these guys to help them get ties... also, great fun!

wednesday.

 we had orange julius in seminary(: it was absolutely AMAZING!

homecoming spirit week: twin day!

 yep, we're cool like that(:

then after school, katie, sam, and i drove around on adventures (you know, dollar store, crazy music, the works) then went to the homecoming parade... sam and i were even twins for the parade(:

and yep... that's been my week so far(: it's been amazing, and let's face it... i have the most amazing friends in the entire world!!! like. legit. it's true. now, i'm headed to powderpuff volleyball(:

Sincerely, 
Erica Michelle

Pre-homecoming/spirit week.

so, i really don't know what else i could name this. really, it's the week before spirit week, which is technically the week before homecoming... ssoooo, yeah.

my week (thus far, since it is only friday)

monday.

labor day! (aka, no school)
my family went ATVing with a couple other families. well, families isn't the term. parents of the families. without their children... soooo, Erik and I were the only kids that were there, but it turned out quite fun(: Erik drove the whole way, which was quite good because, even though it was a GORGEOUS ride, i thought that i very well might die.
 

oh, and we went through this river... and had to pull out Erik's parents because they thought they flooded the engine... turns out, they accidentally hit the kill switch(:

Then... i worked Monday night... have i ever told you how much i love my job? cuz i do.

yeah, this post, about my work, said i would take pictures, so i snapped a few, here's my wonderful work(:

you see that little box office right there? yeah, i sold tickets there... i finally felt like an official movie theater worker!

tuesday.
in seminary we had to draw pictures of the Christmas story. this really demonstrates my sad lack of artistic ability. this was my picture:

i was pretty happy about it, actually... till i looked at kym's picture:

and that was when i felt like a failure.



AFTER SCHOOL...

sam and i went homecoming shoe shopping (for her, i already have my homecoming shoes remember?)

tthheenn i worked again that night. TTHHEENN i went and got ice cream with taylee (no pictures, sorry). and i cried a little bit, because i love that girl, and she's now at BYU-I...

wednesday.
went to school. blah. ttthheenn... sam and i went homecoming shopping again, this time for me.

but before shopping, we had an NHS meeting, and yes, i was the one who talked during a lot of it, and it was great(: scary, but great(:

tthheenn, we were leaving and kelly's van wouldn't start, so we jump started it (although that didn't work, so then a mechanic had to come...)

then i went to ice cream with james(:

homecoming...

you see, my dress is cream and lace and vintage like, AND i don't have a date so i really have no one to impress, therefore, i'm going all vintage(: red high heels, red lipstick, side up do, and i really really would love to find a red clutch, but there are none to be found in montrose :( which is quite sad.
but i got my make-up done by a guy at sephora... actucally, just my lipstick... and it took some intense scrubbing to get it off. it was awful, i think i'm sticking with the four dollar Target stuff...

thursday.

powderpuff football practice(: well, let's just say, i shouldn't consider football an option for a career, but it's fun(: and kelsey and i went and got ice cream after(:
(dang, i eat a lot of ice cream...)

friday.

Danielle is here(: with evan and caitlin and they're adorable(: well, homecoming is eight days away! which is exciting! anndd, yeah, i might do another post tomorrow depending on how exciting it is, soooo yep...
this is my niece Caitlin(: she's adorable!

LASTLY, this is Sam and I's deal to each other (yes, it's written on a napkin) so we can enjoy our senior homecoming week(:

here we go, powderpuff football, volley ball, and dodge ball... homecoming football game, and of course, the dance!

oh, i'm in love with a band called Imagine Dragons... that's about it!

Sincerely,
Erica Michelle