Surprise!

I decided over a month ago that I wanted to surprise my parents and come home for Thanksgiving. I had talked to my mom on the phone and told her I wouldn't drive home, I would stay here. But my mom knows me really well, that when I set my mind to something, I don't back down. She didn't ask me from that phone call on what I was doing for Thanksgiving, and so it had me wondering if she knew I would come home. My sister, Kala and brother in law Josh, told my mom that they were going to go to a late movie, and then they came and picked me up the night before Thanksgiving. I can't even tell you how excited I was to come home! My flight came in at 11 PM, so by the time we got to Tremonton, it was past midnight and my parents were asleep. So I decided to surprise them in the morning. I snuck in my sister Katrina's bed (she wasn't happy with me at all for waking her up, it's pretty hilarious when she gets that way.
The next morning, Katrina went out first, and then I followed her. Everyone was in the kitchen area. My mom was at the counter making something, so I just walked in and said, "Hi!" Her face was the best thing ever. I wish I could have taken a picture of it. She was like, "How did you get here?! What are you doing here?!" My dad was in the other room at the computer so I went in and he just kept hugging me. I asked my mom why she hadn't asked me about what I was doing. She said, "I knew you would either drive here and I didn't want to worry about you, or you would stay there, and I didn't want to know if you were having a miserable time alone." It was such a fun day with my family. Lots of good food, games, good laughs over home videos, and just spending time together. I love my family so much. I have thought many times in my life how I chose to be with them, and how they really are the best fit for me. I love what each of them brings to my life. And the most favorite people in my life are my nieces and nephews. Any time I get to spend with them are times that I feel the most joy and most peace with myself. They love me so purely and fully, and I love them that way. We went around the table and said what we were thankful for. The kids answers were the best. They were thankful for animals, flowers, bikes, friends and family. I said I was thankful to be alive, literally. I finally told my parents about the shooting at my apartment. If you don't know the story and want to, give me a call. I still don't feel ready to blog about it. :) What an adventure though!
I was able to go to an Aggie football game with my good friends, Meggan and Jenna. Man, I miss those football games, and miss those girls. We even won, 48-2! I said it was because I was there. It was good to catch up with my dear friends, I wish I could have seen more but hopefully at Christmas I can! I also enjoyed getting my haircut (Thanks Jenny!), eating lunch with Jackie at Firehouse Pizza (LOVE their bread), going to Twilight (I LOVE Edward), and eating Bluebird Chicken at Bluebird with the girls in my fam, and even doing the day after Thanksgiving early morning shopping craziness with my sister and brother in law.
I truly enjoy coming home to Utah now, I appreciate the people there that are so important to my life, and growing up there, what I was taught. I'm loving Colorado, it is the place I was born, but Utah is the place I call home, no matter where I end up.

Jenna, Meggan and I at the Aggie game. Go Aggies!

The kid table at Thanksgiving, minus Libby and Abbie. That's my favorite table, I secretly wanted to have my plate there along side my favorite people in the whole world!