Mi Familia!

These people are THE best.  And I am sorry if you think your family is best because I'd fight you for it.  Mine is the best.  That's just how it is.  We were lucky enough to have my sister Kelsey and her hubby Justin come out for a little while.  Lucky for us there is a lot going on this summer so they get to keep making the trek from Ohio to the grand state of Utah for a little while!  We got to spend all sorts of time together just partying, sadly for me I have recently been employed and I was unable to spend a lot of time with them! Grr..  But I guess I can't really complain because I need the money and all that stuff.  But they are just the best, they all came into the restaurant and I got to wait on them and might I add, they were very generous tippers!  We got to go to the ZOO, it was the best!! I love the zoo!  It makes me happy!  But it wasn't just seeing the animals it was more the company I had.  I couldn't have been there with a better crowd!

WE HEART NY!

A rare Papa Bear in his natural habitat!

Welcoming the family home in style!!

Living in the now!

Alright, so an update on life: at this point in life I have stopped long term planning because honestly.. none of my long term life goals have come about!  If they had, I would be travelling the world this summer, but as we all know, life happens!  And things don't turn out the way we hoped!  No, no I am not disappointed, not at all.  My life is brilliant, just in its own way, not in the ways that I had intended!  But you know what, the challenges and the changes are what make life so terrific, it's not predictable!  There is always something new coming and that is exciting!
Oh right, the update, so I am here at home with the parents for the summer and I have come to the decision that I need to put my education on hold to serve the Lord.  That's right, it may come as a surprise to most but I, Emily Chandler, have decided to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was never a part of my plan, if things had gone according to my plans I would be going into my second year at USU, but apparently Heavenly Father had a little something else planned for me.  And thank goodness he does have a plan for me.  And although sometimes the thought of serving a mission scares the heck out of me I know it is what is going to be the best for me in the end.  I know that everything that has happened in my life up until this point has been preparing me to serve a mission and I am so grateful for this chance to serve!  I heard this super cheesy Mormon quote about it but you know it is totally applicable and I would like to share it with you, my whole 3 readers...

This puts missionary work into perspective for me.  This is a sacrifice that I can make.  And I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me and that as long as I listen and obey, he is going to help and bless me.  I can't think of a better promise, so I am going to leave my family for a time so that others can have the same blessings of an eternal family like I have!  

The church is true people! Preach it! 

Freshman year at USU has come and gone... and now I sit in my room wondering how it could go by so quickly!! Change is a terrible blessing!  This year was one beautiful year, I now understand why people say college years are the "golden years" because they really, truly are!  They are completely golden!  I wouldn't change anything from this year, not even the bad things, because it all made me grow into a new person.  This year, I had so many wonderful experiences.  I crossed quite a few things off of my bucket-list, among them: living on my own, going to college, riding a mechanical bull, donating blood, becoming a true Aggie, go to a Parachute concert, have roommates, ride a motorcycle, ride a tandem bike, plus many other amazing things that I never planned such as getting a swirly!  Yeah.. that happened... not really proud of it, but it happened and I will definitely never forget about that! 

(For those of you dying to see the video..)

  Well for my roomies (who are probably my only readers..)  I LOVE YOU ALL SOOO MUCH!! Thanks for being amazing!! My friends are the ones who made this year so wonderful! 

I love Utah State!  Go Aggies!

Me and Alyssa at Parachute!!

Me and Amber with the main singer from We Shot The Moon!

Homecoming!!

TANDEM BIKE AND A BOY! (Landon)

Me and the beautiful Maddie Calder!

214 after our first annual Dundee Awards!

This is an array of some of my favorite times of the year!  

The Setting Sun

    On April 19, 2013 our beloved goldfish Sunset passed away.  After a life full of happiness and joy it was his time to go.  We are so proud of how long he lived and so happy for the life that he lead.  As we mourn the passing of our dear friend Sunset we realize that change is inevitable.  Sunset brought us together in the beginning of our time as a family and was a perfect addition.  It's almost like it was meant to be, he was with us the perfect amount of time.  As the year ends and we all part ways we will always remember how Sunset brought us together. I'll miss you Sunset, you truly were a remarkable fish!  Who knew that a Wal-Mart goldfish could survive for 8 months!?  We'll miss you!  

 

Hipster Emily...(in progress)

So I have come to the conclusion that I was meant to be a hipster.  I have decided that it is time to reinvent myself into a hipster. Here is my first attempt... all I've got so far are the hipster glasses.  But I am getting there! Don't worry!  I'll be the hipster I was always meant to be.  Someday.

Life as an Aggie!

I just wanted to take a moment and tell you all what it is like being a part of USU.  It is fantastic. Choosing to come to this school was the best decision!  Utah State has such a sense of pride and loyalty that you can't help but get sucked up in all the Aggie Pride! So readers, if you are trying to decide where to go for college, choose Utah State. You can't go wrong.  Go Aggies!!

It only takes 20 seconds of insane bravery for great things to happen.