Today I got the call that I've been dreading for a long time now. My grandpa had a stroke, second one in two weeks. If you can imagine, those words took me about 20 minutes, a phone call to Coti, a phone call from my dad and a hug from Adam to write. I understand how life works, people get old, things happen and they die... but (knock on wood) in my 24+ years of life I have been so blessed to not have anyone in my family die. So, I'm new at this. I'm learning how to grapple with the fact that my grandpa is currently fighting for his life, and things don't look good. My grandpa lives in Michigan and I haven't had the chance to see him in about a year and a half, so not being able to be with him is the worst part of it all. I just wish I could give him a hug, tell him how much I love him and comfort him. But, from Omaha, Nebraska, I will say my prayers, write this blog and a letter to him and learn how to cope. But, on the positive side... my gramps is the coolest. His name is Horst. He was born in Germany, came to the US when he was 5 and fought for the US in World War II. How cool is he? He's a stud, cynical and I'm pretty sure he's where Tom and I get our sarcasm. So, please, fellow blog readers, please keep him in your prayers, because at this point God's plan is way bigger than what we can do or hope for.

My dad is so wonderful in the way that he knows how sentimental I am about certain quotes, my family, my friends and the great state of Arizona. He sent me this quote the other day after a Adam and I spent a great long weekend in Arizona. Although I don't live in Arizona anymore, it will always be the place I call home.

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts." Oliver Wendell Holmes.

I'm gonna be honest, I need to give everyone who follows an apology.  This blog used to be my place... where I could come, write whatever I wanted and not feel judged, critiqued or guilty for the words I was writing. But, unfortunately things have changed and that's kind of the way I feel regarding some things I write on here. So... I'm sorry that I've been absent and not really speaking my mind. But I'm trying to find the place between censoring my words along with still feeling okay to say what I want and need to say. Okay.. thanks for the vent session. Now on to my point. Tonight, I was watching my guilty pleasure TV show, Pretty Little Liars and they quoted, "Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid." I'm pretty sure that's the best quote I've heard in a long time. There are so many times when I hold myself back because I'm scared... of failure, rejection, an opinion adverse to my own, but it's time to be bold. It's time I start doing what I want and need to do. So, to everyone pursuing their dreams, questioning things, or being challenged - Be Bold. 

Happy, Happy Friday!!

It's been 4 days since I've been back in Omaha and it feels good to be back. I absolutely LOVE Arizona, I love spending time with friends and family but there is something comforting in the daily routine. Classes started yesterday and being a second semester 2L, the whole vibe has changed. It's not as crazy as life as a 1L and it's so nice. While this semester is going to be kind of crazy with a new job, the MPRE, trips, bridal showers and weddings, it's going to be fantastic. I can't wait to see what 2012 brings because I have a feeling this semester is going to rock. So, please excuse me... I'm going to go have dinner with my friends, toast to Britt's engagement and celebrate before life gets crazy come Monday. Happy Weekending!

Starting [right now] I will be celebrating my future sister-in-law by drinking too much, dancing too much and taking toooo many pictures at her bachelorette party in Vegas. I'm so blessed by Camila and the joy she brings into my brother and my family's lives. She has become my 2nd big sister and I'm not sure where'd I'd be without her place in my life. I'm so happy God decided to bring her into our lives, because while she's brought happiness into my brothers life, she's brought just as much happiness and love into mine. Welcome [almost] legally to the family Camila, I can't wait to have another sister. Let's party :)

2011 was such a fabulous year full of triumphs, successes, failures and adversity. Yet, at the end of the day that beautiful Lord of ours blessed us with a Christmas and New Years that only set us up for great successes to come in 2012.

So many wonderful things happened in 2011. I fell into my big, big love, I celebrated my brothers engagement, I turned 24, I went to Tahoe, my beautiful cousin got married, I became a 2L, I went to my first Nebraska football game, I went to my first Iowa football game, I got my first law school A's, I celebrated everything with my girlfriends, my best friend at law school got engaged, I celebrated Jesus' birth and I rang in the new year with my love. 2011 was one of my most favorite years yet and I can only imagine what 2012 is going to look like. My brother is getting married!! I'm going to be a quarter of a century and then I'm going to be a 3L! 2012 has a lot of competition but as I head to Vegas tomorrow to celebrate my future sister-in-laws bachelorette party I know it will exceed my expectations. Cheers everyone, 2012 has begun and I can't wait to see what it has in store.