Therapy

Blogs are supposed to be therapeutic, right? Well, after one of the worst weeks ever, I could use some therapy, but I'm trying to spare my wallet and avoid retail. So, here we are.

Don't expect this post to get mopey because I fully intend on staying positive. As the week continued on (slowly, I might add), I came to realize just how loved I am. From the supportive/worried friends to the concerned and loving parents, I feel so blessed to have so many people rooting for me in all aspects of my life. 

So, thanks for the Oreos, smiles, prayers, words of encouragement, faith and patience. I love you, my friends and family. I am definitely learning what it means to keep a prayer of gratitude in your heart. I wouldn't be smiling today if it wasn't for what you did yesterday.

I WILL pull through. No doubt about it. 

In the meantime, here are some instas that have helped me:

This proves to be one of my biggest struggles in life.

You have no idea how grateful I am for this. Fewf.

This is so factual. It's not even funny. I was doing SO well. 

It appears as though there will be some changes occurring in my life, and I can't wait to share them with you, but the time is not yet right.

Anyway, I hope you had a wonderful week.

xox,

Miss Jones

Day to day angels

Heavenly Father has blessed me with day to day angels. These angels don't always have to make grand gestures to make me feel loved, appreciated, and taken care of. Sometimes, it's the smallest act that means the most.

Today, I received a text from my long-time best friend, Mariah. She was just checking on my grandmother who has been experiencing some health struggles. Her simple text message showed me that she cares, and it meant a lot to me.

Another friend made me feel appreciated and loved today by inviting me to drink Cokes and catch up. He knew that there has been worry in my heart for a mutual friend, and he wanted to be there to support me.

Lastly, my younger brother, with whom I spend a lot of time fighting, saved me from an embarrassing moment with only a few joking remarks. His compassion saved me from feeling worse on a day where I spent much of my time worried.

I want to thank all of my angels because there are MANY more than I have written about, and they deserve recognition as well. You people make my life more full and more fun.

I love you all.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

A venting moment

This will just take a second. 
I do a lot for people.
They don't like to acknowledge it often.
A "thank you" would suffice. 
When it is acknowledged, I appreciate it.
A lot.
Show gratitude, friends. 
Y por favor, ¡pare ignorarme!


Anyway, I'm worrying about my happiness now. 
Doing things for me.
I'm exhausted from doing things for you.


Speaking of Spanish, take me back here please:

Re-enter optimistic self.
Hi.
My birthday is in 10 days. 
I love my birthday.




xoxo,


Miss Jones






Also, a HUGE thank you and shout out to Jessica for accompanying me to get new debit/credit cards and a new license. You're the best, chica. Te amo mucho.

Lost Puppy

Or should I say kitten? No, I shall never say kitten. 


Anyway, I often find myself stressing about the future: What should I be? What should I study? Will I ever graduate? Where should I go? 


But then, people like Emily Burt, Mindy Benson and Stuart Jones {Emily, you are in the coolest list right now!} remind me that stressing isn't the best way to go about deciding. Each has given me words of wisdom, inspiration and faith. I only wish I could find faith in myself to decide a pathway and find success.  


Thanks to each of them for reminding me that He cares. 


xoxo,


Miss Jones




P.S. Let me tell you something about Ms Burt. We weren't pals when she was a student here {ugh! so tragic}, but somehow, we're friends now. We skype/facetime {yeah, on our cool iPhones} or chat through other mediums and I have found her to be one the most optimistic, faithful and caring people I know. Snaps for Emily!

Today was a good reminder.

You know those moments when you just realize that people love you? I like them.
I had several today:
My mama held my hair back while I emptied my stomach.
She went to the store a few different times for things I wanted or needed.
My father and his friend left their jobs to come check on me and give me a blessing.
I received flowers from a loving and concerned friend.
At least 10 people have offered to bring me soup or anything else I might need.


I love you all.
You truly are blessings in my life. 
Thanks for caring about me.
I hope to be in normal working condition again soon.

xxo,


Miss Jones

Christmas Venting

I have beef with Christmas. Christmas does me wrong. It stresses me.

I love the reason we celebrate Christmas, but I hate the stress I feel on the holidays--just read this knowing I fully admit that I'm crazy. Okay, so I love purchasing gifts for my loved ones. I really love showering them with trinkets and love, I do, but actually handing over the gift terrifies me. I usually feel pretty confident that my loved ones will enjoy their gifts, but I've been in the uncomfortable situation of receiving a gift you are totally underwhelmed by: My maternal grandma loves to give me the clothes that she buys for herself and then ends up not liking. They might not fit right or they may seem too old lady-ish. She has also given me a jacket that was four X's and an L too big. Because of these awkward "thanks-grandma-I-love-it"s that I've experienced, I am freaked to put anyone else through it.

I love the shopping. Hate the unwrapping.

Merry Christmas,

Miss Jones

Reflections

During this Christmas season, I find myself reflecting about the year. I am not a journaler, but Grandma Jones says it is important to at least record the highlights of each passing year, so here it goes (also, some of these "highlights" are a stretch, just go with me):


January: All of my mom's family got together to celebrate what would have been my Uncle Paul's 40th birthday. What a treat to see everyone. A relative made a slide show with photos of the big guy and there wasn't a dry eye afterwards. I laughed, I cried and I felt extremely blessed. We even rode horses for a minute.

February: I got a new hairstyle in February. I loved my bangs, but they were a ton of work and I eventually let them grow out.

March: In March, I spent my entire spring break babysitting and earning money for Spain. Good thing the kids are total sweethearts and I had a ton of fun.

April: Two of my girl friends and I attended the Brian Regan performance here at SUU. He is always hilarious. My parents, younger brother, youngest sister and I took a spur of the moment vacation to Disneyland. And I had my twentieth birthday. No more wise cracks from my dad about being a "teeny bopper," or so I thought.

May: I spent the month of May preparing for the month of June, but it was a great time. I had a lot of help preparing for my big adventure and I realized how much I'd miss my friends and family. The day this photo was taken, Mariah and I went on "The Zipper" three times, if I'm not mistaken.

June: Oh June... Where do I begin. I went to Spain. I've only written about it like 10 times. I became really close to my Cheri love. I learned a ton of Spanish. I fell in love with my host family and I made some huge life decisions. SUU has given me some pretty awesome experiences, but this particular experience takes the cake.

July: My older sister, Jenn, left on an LDS mission. Wow, she's incredible. Also, my younger sister Lexi turned 19! I spent 10 days in Phoenix with those two and I am so glad I did. It really helped us reconnect and get to know each other again. I am so lucky to have them. Aw, I love my family! (We all have very teary eyes in this picture. It was taken right after Jenn officially became a missionary. Also, the little girl is their sister, Anna.)

August: Samuel H. Taylor (one of my favorite people) turned 21. Two of his friends and I took him for a random and silly ride up Cedar canyon. I also introduced him to some crazy fun times with the Joneses when my sister Lexi brought three of her friends up for a visit. We all saw "The Music Man" done by the Utah Shakespeare Festival. Then Lexi, friends and I hiked Kanarraville falls, went on a lake trip and visited our family's mountain property.

September:Samuel H. Taylor, our friend Jessica and I went to Vegas to watch the SUU T-Birds beat UNLV in football. Really, we spanked them. On their field. Definitely memorable for me. I learned I get really into games... 

AND my beautiful niece Brooke Alexandria Mull was born. Oh, I love her and yes, she is my namesake. This was our first meeting.

October: I do not like Halloween, but Jessica's family was kind enough to take me to "Thriller" this year. I loved it and I was totally creeped by the costume people. Yuck! I definitely spent every night of October in the library.

November: Thanksgiving is always a fun event around the Joneses table. We eat (too much), laugh (equally as much) and watch (not enough) football. My aunt always turns off the game. I spent Black Friday in Vegas on the strip getting my shop on. I found some new things that I'm loving and still wearing. I am lacking photos from November, so here is a picture I snagged on campus.

December:Thank goodness the semester is over. Fewf. I have had some awesome experiences in December, but one of my favorites was when Jessica and I took a random night trip down to St George. We visited her family and friends and on the way back I learned just how considerate she really is. Snaps for Jessica who also turned 19 this month. Santa sent a little elf to visit me yesterday. And most importantly, my older brother returned home safely from his tour in Iraq. So happy to have him home.

Thank you to everyone that was a part of my 2011. I learned, grew and gained strength. 2011 was a year for the history books. I hope you are all well and finding yourselves happy, healthy and well this holiday season.

xoxo,

Miss Jones

I know a real life superhero.

His name is Addison.
He's my brother.
He's also a soldier. 


Everyday, he protects the rights that I posses as an American.
There have been songs written about heroes like him. 
I don't know exactly what he does everyday, but I do know that it's important.
This year, I am thankful for my brother, his sacrifices and his safety.
You may not know this, but I used to be super against the military. Really only against having someone in my family join, but now, I see how much good it's done in his life and I'm glad he joined.


I really hope he'll be home for the holidays, but if he can't make it, he'll certainly be in our hearts and minds.


I love you, big brother. You are my hero.


xoxo,


Miss Jones




p.s. I AM proud to be an American.

Phases

I go through these phases where I miss Spain immensely. Can I just move there and take the people I love the most with me? I don't see why that hasn't happened already. :)

My mother and I at El Generalife. Granda, Spain

Her first ever Paella. Madrid, Spain.

El Generalife. Granda, Spain.

A group shot in Ronda, Spain.

I came to appreciate and love so many of these people.

Mainly I just want to go back and visit my host mother and host sister. It is true, I fell in love in Spain. No, not with a man, but with my group, my family, and my city.

Mucho amor,

Miss Jones

New funny thing. I'll get better... Hopefully.

Certainly no more eating while filming. hahha!