Merry Christmas!

I've been in Europe for 11 days now and loving every minute of it. We were in Paris for 6 days and now we're spending 6 days in the beautiful, vast countryside of Belgium. I love the contrast between the dirty, busy, metropolitan city and the calm, quiet, tranquil country. Both are great...but completely opposite in every way. After Christmas we're going to Germany for a few days and then back to Paris for New Year's Eve...I'm excited for the adventures that are in store as we continue our journey.
I've taken about a million photos so far, and even though the photos never do justice for the real life experience, I've posted a few of my favorites below (PS it was so difficult for me to try to limit it to 30 haha)

Enjoy! And Merry Christmas!!!

 Me and Amanda in front of the Louvre!

 I love taking pictures of Amanda taking pictures...

 Delicious!!

 We did an ANTM photo shoot in the country...so great!

 

 DIE!!

 Bike ride in the country...yes!

 

 This was the most delicious waffle I have ever tasted!!

 Hippie bracelets!

 Christmas Eve!

 Just one of the delicious plates we had for our feast on Christmas Eve!!

 Crazy game of Jenga at midnight!

10 days...

In only 10 days I'm going to be leaving on a jet plane to meet my cousin in Europe for the Christmas break. I'm SO excited...seriously can't contain myself.

Sneak peak: I'm going to be here on New Year's Eve...

I'll post some pics of our adventures when I get over there (or when I get back). But since I'm leaving so soon and will be quite busy over the break exploring new cities...I've been thinking about new year's resolutions recently...

I've never really been big into new year's resolutions. I mean I definitely set goals for myself, some that are written down and others just in my mind, and I try to improve and grow and become better, but new year's resolutions have never been my strong point. Maybe part of that is because I don't want to set a bunch of big goals and see them fail after a month or two into the year. And maybe it's because I hate going to the gym during January since it's PACKED full of people who will only be there for two or three weeks before the crowd dies down as their new year's resolutions fade. I don't know. But I've been thinking about giving it a shot this year.

What should I do? I have some ideas bouncing around in my head, nothing too concrete yet...but I'm kinda excited about some of them...

I think it's a good year to try this whole "new year's resolution" thing.

picture here

babies...

My little nephew is the cutest thing in the entire world. I'm not biased, that's just the truth. This past weekend was great because my whole family came home to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in one weekend (we celebrated Christmas since most my family will be gone for the real Christmas), Trevor and Melissa and Thompson, Nate, and my parents and I all slept over at the house and got to spend lots of time together. It was the best. This is a video of my mom giving Thompson a haircut to show you how adorable he is. Isn't he the best?

I think he's part of the reason I'm already baby hungry...

so proud...

Trinity women's soccer finished another amazing year this last weekend. It was rough to watch it end short of everyone's hopes and dreams, and my heart broke for the players. I re-lived and remembered my final game the year before, as it is forever sketched in my mind, knowing how they were feeling, wishing I could be there to hug them and cry with them.

To the team, I have to say congrats. You had a killer year and it was incredible to watch you dominate. I am so proud of you girls. I know it didn't last as long as you hoped it would, or as long as it should have, but you have to be proud. You just have to be.

It's been one year and seven days since my soccer career ended (but who's counting?). I wish that I could give these seniors some advice. Maybe some words of wisdom to help them feel better and help them know what to do. Anything. But I'm at a loss. For the past year I've struggled myself to fill that void, I've been searching for something I can do that will replace it, trying to keep myself busy and not think about it constantly. But the truth is, even after 12 months, I still miss it terribly. But I've realized that's okay.

Although I've been searching for something to fill that void, the reality is I won't ever be able to replace it, and I don't want to replace it. It was an incredible journey with amazing experiences and opportunities. Yes I have disappointments, frustrations, and I occasionally replay vital games in my head, trying to figure out how I could have changed the outcome. But the reality is, that doesn't matter. And I'm slowly realizing that.

I don't have any profound words of wisdom or comfort. I wish I did. But I am happy to say that I can look back and be proud. And that pride, for some strange reason, is comforting. I am proud to have been a Trinity women's soccer player. That means more than most people will ever know or understand. Only those who were a part of it will truly get that.

creative baking...

So I found this recipe online...and I just HAD to try it...

S'mores Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies (recipe found here)

Who would ever think to make a s'more and then put it inside a chocolate chip cookie? Brilliant. I have to say that they were quite delectable. However, I give a warning...they are HUGE! I made only half the recipe, but it made 5 ginormous cookies (you can look at the pictures for proof)

The cookies were good, and very creative, but they weren't my favorite treat. I mean don't get me wrong...they were quite tasty...but I wasn't crazy about the "cookie" part, it felt kind of dry...

So...I decided to heat the cookie up and dip it in milk (or almond milk)...I decided these were pretty delicious when I did this.

And let's be honest...I will probably eat all of them. 

dear future...

dear future hubby,
sometimes I think about you. I think we should hang out sometime soon.
love,
me

alumni weekend

This past weekend I was re-united with my former team, room-mates, and friends.

It was so great to be back at my home in Texas. The weekend was filled with fun, laughter, humidity, tears, yelling at referees and opposing teams, pouring rain, losing my voice, breakfast tacos, and so much more. I miss it already. BYU is great...but just SO different.