back

 Its been over a month and a half now, and I could probably go on all day about the events that have taken place since that memorable day I stepped off the plane. But I don't have all day.  Even if I did have all day, I don't feel the necessity to share every little detail.  Therefore, I'll make my return to the blogger world short and sweet.  Here's to being home:

 

 

Ok, I realize this list wasn't all that short.  But here is a summary of my past month and a half in pictures.  Family, babies, mission friends, home friends, grandparents, Brock, Christmas, temples, California, and now back to school at Utah State.  Life is stressful and wonderful. So many decisions to make, new and old things to wrap my head around, sometimes a bit of overwhelming, but I am happy.

best mother's day

In honor of this special holiday, I got to see and talk to my cute family over Skype yesterday! Words cannot express how great it was to see their faces and hear their voices after months of letters and emails. It felt like I was at home for just a short period of time. The words of this little primary song may be cheesy but they express exactly how I feel right now...

I have a family here on earth, they are so good to me.

I want to share my life with them through all eternity
Families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan.
I always want to be with my own family,
And the Lord has shown me how I can.
The Lord has shown me how I can!

(Families Can be Together Forever)

I'd like to introduce you...

...to my fam. I couldn't find one picture of all of us together (I left them all at home) but here are bits and pieces of us:

Boyfriends usually come and go, friends sometimes change, but family always stays the same!

The Cosper clan consists of my 3 sisters, 2 brothers, myself, 3 brother-in-laws, 1 sister-in-law, 4 nephews, 5 nieces, and the best parents of all time. Alice and Steve (ma and pa) have been married for 35 years, and the rest of us have joined the family one by one since then. I love my family so much. They are my best friends and they mean everything to me. No one could have convinced me to say goodbye to them for 18 months other than God himself; and I know He did this so I could help bring to other families the happiness that my family has. I know that the key to lasting marriages and siblings who would do anything for each other is having a home centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ. My family is not perfect, but the reason we are so happy is because Mom and Dad did everything they could to keep our home focused on the Savior. I also know that because of Jesus Christ, I can be with my family forever; even after this life ends. I am so thankful to know this.

How has God strengthened your family?

happy v day

I may not have a special Valentine this year, but I get to spend all weekend with people I love...

doing what I love most...

eating some of my favorite foods..

..and I have absolutely no complaints. So this year my heart goes out to them and to the rest of my family, to my friends who are amazing, to my roommates who are always there for me, and maybe... to whoever the man is that will be here with me...

sometime in the distant future.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

thank you alaska

for showing me your waterfalls...

and rivers...

and flowers...

and glaciers...

for taking my breath away at the top of the tram...

for letting me hike and frisbee golf in your forest...

for letting me fish for salmon (or sometimes just watch the guys fish)...

for letting me play with this little guy..

each time I come visit. 

But most especially for letting me spend time with my brother Ben and his wife, Michelle.   I love you guys so so much. You are in my thoughts and prayers... always.

summer hobby

There's a sport I've become quite accustomed to this summer:

Its called golf.  I've always liked it, but I've never cared about it enough (or practiced enough) to get good at it.  This summer I decided it was time. 

This is what I like most about this sport:

1. The landscape.  So peaceful.  So relaxing. So perfect after a long day of work. 

2. Spending time with Dad.. and occasionally Tay.  And learning from both of their skills.

3. Getting a farmer tan, and a sock tan.   And wearing baseball caps for the first time in my life.

4. Not having to keep score.  I refuse to keep score until my score is work keeping. 

5. One day I will be so terrible, and the next day I will drive straight onto the greens (from par 3's of course)

6.  The fact (or hope) that some day, I will get to design a golf course of my very own--being a Landscape Architecture major has its benefits.

Here is a short video of my swing.  I'm still working on it.  Also, I think that all the self confidence I have acquired throughout my life has come from Dad's (kind, but not necessarily truthful) compliments.  Listen to what he says at the end of this clip. 

he he.  That's all!

counting down

20 days from now, I will be in Alaska

visiting these guys:

and 30 days from now I will be in Connecticut

with my best friend:

... I have so much to look forward to!

i do like

One thing I admire about my dad is how certain he is about what he does and does not like. He is the most decisive person I know. The other day as I was trying to convince my dad to miss a day of work and come boating with the family, he promptly responded,

"No, I do not want to come boating. I do not like boating, I never really have. If I liked boating, I'd have a boat."

Although I respect his opinion, and agree with my dad on most subjects, I have to disagree here.

I really do like boating. I'm lucky I've had so many friends, and now a sister, who invite me to come boating with them every summer.

My niece Violet really likes boating too. I had a great family fourth full of camping, boating, golfing, food, and fireworks. I'm sad its over.