Tribute: A Sister and A Friend

I'm really not quite sure how to even start or what to say. How do you memorialize someone who grew up with you, every step of the way? Lindsey was my bosom sister. My mom said it best earlier today when she said Linz and I had the "Hyrum and Joseph" relationship of the family. (Does that make sense? I hope.) We were just about as opposite as two sisters could be. She the daring, fun, outspoken tom-boy, and I the quiet nerd. :) We were friends when we were younger, but sometimes our differences clashed. Our relationship truly grew into what it is now as we became older and realized we needed each other. Where I was weak, she was strong. When she needed a practical side, she turned to me. When I needed to lighten up and relax, I turned to her. She was my best friend and has left a hole in my heart that I'm not sure can ever be filled. Here's to the sister I had pillow talk with every night for who knows how many years of my life. Here's to the sister who knew my every weakness, but chose to only point out my strengths. Here's to a little sister who I looked up to more than she will ever know. Here's to the bond of sisterhood that cannot be broken by death. Here's to Linz. My llama loving, "woof" speaking sister who is completing her mission on the other side of the veil. How will we survive? I know not, except I DO know the Lord. I know the comforter probably more than I should. I know that through the atonement, Christ can and will heal my broken heart. I know that while Lindsey and I are bound by sisterhood, we are also bound eternal covenants, and those will never be severed. If I can hope to carry on Lindsey's legacy I can hope to see her again. I must try harder, I must do better. I know where she is right now, and if I have any chance of seeing her again I'm going to need a lot of work. These words don't do justice, nor will words ever pay the appropriate tribute to someone who figured out life a lot quicker than the rest of us. Lindsey, I love you - your memory will never be forgotten, and your legacy will live on.



"Have you ever imagined life beyond today? I have, and you know something? Its a wonderful image. Believe in the greater cause that is this life, and remember God will always take care of you, as I have seen Him take care of me. Regardless of my many inadequacies."
-Lindsey Spjute

Ode to Eric

So right after I got home from my mission so did this kid Eric. He came home early though because of an unknown illness that was sucking the life out of him. Long story short, he and I have become best buds. Then he got better, got cleared to go back on a mission, and flew out of my life this morning at 6:00 AM. He is now in Dallas, Texas spreading the restored truth in Spanish (he went to Honduras the first time around). So this is an ode to Eric and to everyone else who does whatever it takes to do the Lord's will. I salute you, even if you do leave me friendless in Hesperia.

Thursday night movie night, compliments of Netflix and Celeste (that's my computer).

Pinky's Perfect Day

Here is just a taste of what you missed if you couldn't make it. It was absolutely perfect! She was just as beautiful as I anticipated. I mean, hello, did you see those bridals? I've got a few more pictures posted on my photo gallery. Check em out!

You Asked For It!!!!

Amber, Katie - don't forget that you asked for this! You want drama? Girls, I'll give you drama. Some of you know about how the last 3 months of my life have been . . . . crazy? Dramatic? As Little Orphan Annie would say, "Yesterday was plain AWFUL!" I wish I could think of the right word . . . . Well, in no particular order, here are 10 reasons (plus 3) why my life is more dramatic than yours.
1. I can now diagnose bipolarism. Living with someone with said disease produces all sorts of drama. ie: Yelling, screaming, manipulating, and being locked out of your house on the coldest day of the year. And these don't even begin to describe the drama.
2. I have been called selfish, self-centered, rude, immature, competitive, inactive, desperate, a bad friend . . . . the list goes on.
3. I know how to live out of a suitcase for over 2 months. I am also very good at sleeping on couches (well, mostly Tina's couch - for 3 weeks) and mooching off bishopric members from previous wards (bless them).
4. I know what it feels like to have your best friends sneak you out of the house. It was an adventure - we felt like I was escaping from an abusive husband.
5. I know Utah's Renters Handbook inside and out.
6. I have friends in high places (I'm saying that in a non-conceited way). Bless Br. Larsen for not only putting me up in his house for a month, but for providing me hours of free legal work when I needed a lawyer to fix the dramatic roommate problem. (I won).
7. I am now really good at spring cleaning a house I haven't lived in (in other words, I've spent at least 15 hours cleaning a mess I didn't create - the mess included a dirty diaper that had been sitting on the living room floor for 2 weeks. Vomit.)
8. After waiting in my car in Lowe's parking lot off 4500 South for an hour for my date to pick me up on what was supposed to be an apology date, I was bugged. (Patrick, I mean Pooptrick, asked me out so he could apologize for the duck butt he's been. Yes, he was 61 minutes late.)
9. After being 61 minutes late, we spent the next 59 minutes doing his work errands he should have completed before picking me up. My family was in town from Japan and I was missing spending time with them to run around with him. Woof.
10. Said Patrick took me fly fishing. It was fun. I even got to touch a fish (it was a trout, and no, we didn't keep it).
+1. After fishing, boy began to drive us home. We were in Spanish Fork canyon. His car ran out of gas several miles before we were out of the canyon. Bless the nice man who picked us up when he saw 2 desperate people walking on the side of the road (bless him especially for not killing us)
+2. Remember how Patrick was supposed to apologize? He somehow forgot about it.
+3. The "forgotten" apology resulted in the worst dtr of my life. We mutually do NOT like each other right now.

Sometimes being single isn't all what it's cracked up to be! Before I end this dramatic tale I should let you all know that due to amazing friends I survived everything quite well, I only had a few meltdowns, and now that everything is resolved, life is GOOD!!!!! Love you all!

T&T

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Tyler! (well, I guess there aren't any guys that read this blog, so the I added the "gentlemen" part for dramatic effect)

You're probably thinking, "but Alicia, we've been introduced to Tyler several times already, you silly girl!" Well, no you haven't, and I'm not silly. There are now TWO Tyler's!!!! Tyler #1=Pinky's fiance (by the way you are all invited to her bridal shower Thursday at 7 at my house. - wish you could come!) Tyler #2=Tiff's Tyler! (Get it? T&T? Isn't that cute?!) I don't know too much about him, except that he treats Tiff SOOOOO well, and he has a cute head of red hair. What more could you ask for?

Tiff, it's your job to keep us updated - we haven't heard from you in a while!

And here the happy couple is for your viewing pleasure (it was like pulling teeth to get these pics, so you better enjoy them!)

The End of an Era

Well, Just to fill everyone in on the results from Jamie's last swim meet at BYU...

200 Medly Relay: 2nd 

Finals--1:41.21  NCAB

Jamie's split--28.61

200 Individual Medly: 14th 

Prelims--2:07.96

Finals--2:08.03

100 Breaststroke: 3rd

Prelims--1:03.56

Finals--1:03.25 NCAB

400 Medly Relay: 2nd

Finals--3:44.25 NCAB

Jamie's split--1:03.78

200 Breaststroke: 3rd

Prelims--2:17.71

Finals--2:16.96 NCAB

NCAB means that she swam fast enough to possible be considered to go to nationals. She won't get in though because those times still aren't fast enough this year. Jamie is happy about her season though and her career in general. BYU girls won the conference championship this year. It was a good note to end on.

I'm Getting Married..

I need a couple of addresses.. Amber? Katie? Help a sister out :) Why don't you send it to my work email elisabeth@thechristmasboxhouse.org. Thank you very much. You won't want to miss this invitation. Alicia designed it!! And you'll get your VERY own copy of this picture.