On Best Friends.

I got home to Mesa on Thursday and am just here for a mini vacation. As I've been home, I've had a lot of time to reflect on life and the friendships I've had for two reasons: 1. The celebration of Morgan's upcoming wedding, 2. Missionary friends returning. Reflecting on these things has brought me to such a thankful spot in my life for so many reasons.

I'm quick to call someone my best friend, which doesn't lessen the term to me. I have a lot of friends whom I love and cherish and really do consider my best friend. I realized that there are people I will continually fall back on for support, like Morgan and Jessika. We've been best friends since we were two, and despite our different friend groups, we get together again and it's like we never left each other's sides. Naomi is another friend like that. She's married, and I'm in Provo, but we can talk to each other on the phone for hours, and whenever I'm in town, it's like high school all over again. The thing is, I don't just have girlfriends like that. Zac Velarde has been such a good friend to me since we met, and every time I'm in Mesa, you can find us together, loving life and living like there's no tomorrow.

The thing I've come to realize  is that these people, Zac, Morgan, Naomi, Jacob, Jessika, Adam, Joey, Maeser- people I really know and love abundantly- have always been there for me. We've seen good and bad times, and somehow, miraculously, we come out on top, and that's not always the case with friends. Friendships don't always survive fights and disagreements, but when they do, they last forever. I think that one of the reasons I consistently come back to these people is because I know them so well, I know their stories, I know their worries (in a small way), I know their families, and I love everything about them. How could I not consider them my best friends?

Sometimes it's hard for me to watch my life change so much, and see everyone growing up, getting married, and having kids, but as I look at the friends I've been surrounded with, I know that the ones that really mean the world to me, the ones I've been with forever, they will always be right next to me, no matter where life takes us. I may have a fickle heart, but deep down, with my best friends, I'll always be loyal to those who have shown me loyalty. I happen to be blessed with a good group of people who've done that for me.

On Communities.

There are a lot of things I love about being Mormon. But one of the things I love the most is the way that Mormons join together. When people talk about ward families, it's not just the group of people you go to church with everyday, it really is an extension of your family. The picture above is of my ward family on the night of our seminary graduation; I can honestly say that they are family to me. We've grown up together, been awkward together, and stuck together through thick and thin because that's what we do as a ward family- we stick together.

I was recently thinking about this because I joined a group on facebook that's a little support network of girls who have missionaries (I know, I'm one of those girls now). I was so not going to ever do this because...Well, I'm not really "waiting" as is typical in mormon culture. I've been dating, enjoying life, and heck, even got really close to marriage with a boy! So I thought, "Can't join that community. I'm not one of them." But the thing is, I got over my pride, joined, and instantly found people in my same situation. It was amazing. With welcoming arms they let me into the group and I started enjoying feeling like I was part of a community again; we all have different "waiting" situations, but there is overlap in our experiences that make it possible for us to reach out to one another (plus, with the year mark rapidly approaching, I feel like a "wise one". ha!).

I think that it's great to have any sort of community. For me, I am lucky enough to find it in my church. For others, it may be through their blogs. And for still others, it may be in their actual community. Any way you find it, it boils down to this: we need each other. We can't just mosey through life alone. There's a reason we come to this world in families. There's a reason we find friends and stick to each other. There's a reason why we, as Mormons, are organized into ward units.

It's almost silly how common sense this all seems and yet it was like this huge realization for me this week. Communities rock. The end.

Love always,
Ems

Why not celebrate?

Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time as my friend knows that I love a good party. In fact, I was recently reminiscing with my good friend, Zac, and he reminded me that I threw him an awesome 18th birthday party our senior year (granted, I very much wanted to date him so I probably put in EXTRA work at the point (p.s it paid of)). Going away to college, I don't have an awesome back yard to throw mega parties like I used to- the kind of parties that are complete with Just Dance on the huge projector, swimming, tables for games, and a warm, crackling fire- but I do still find lots of reason to celebrate- like a good test score or a cute boy posting on my FB wall. I think that you should celebrate anything that is 1. Semi-related to to you in some sort of way or 2. A giant cause of happiness.

That being said, since Jacob's birthday was on the 20th of July, and considering that it was his GOLDEN birthday, I called up Morgan and told her that we had great cause to celebrate. But since I don't really have any friends here in Mesa (yet alone friends  in Mesa that know Jacob- except Morgan, of course) we decided that the best celebration was whipping up some good 'ole Oreo cupcakes (oh, deliciousness in a cupcake). It was a wonderful evening filled with plenty of laughter and a few almost-fatal mistakes (in her defense, Morgan doesn't bake as much as I do). We stuck 20 candles in 4 cupcakes, because we figured that 20 candles in one cupcake would probably be a major disaster, wished Jacob happy birthday with a smiling, glowing,  picture, and blew the candles out before sharing the cupcake love with my family.

I will always love celebrations. So if you have a reason to celebrate, let me know. I'll have a party of my own- I'm not kidding.

Love always,
Ems

The Beginning of Summer.

 Welcome, Summer!

Well, summer has finally arrived, and man oh mighty does it feel wonderful.
A. I don't have to stress about school.
B. I'm home, sleeping in my own bed, being fed by my mother.
C. It is a wonderful 100 degrees outside and it makes my life to walk outside and feel the sun zap me like that.
D. I have time to read, sleep, and enjoy life.

Summer started out real well. Joe, Chad, Emily, and I ventured out to the Spanish Fork hot springs on the last day of finals. The moon was bright, the springs were deliciously warm. The company was marvelous.

The rest of the week was spent as a homeless bum at Sophia's place. I slept on her couch Wednesday-Saturday morning. Thankfully, she has maybe the most comfortable couch on the planet. Activities included Target shopping, jacuzzinging, group rinse offs in the showers, making forts, and bawling our eyes out as we watched The Impossible. Oh, and redoing Sophia's blog and cleaning their apartment for cleaning checks. All good things. It was incredibly difficult to say goodbye to Soph, but I know we'll see each other soon enough.

Now I'm home. Going to the gym with my mother at 5 in the morning. Celebrating Naomi's wedding with Bridal Showers. Working for my dad. Reading, reading, reading, and going to sleep early.


Ain't life the greatest?
I contest that it is.

Love always,
Ems

A Best Friend.

Today, I need to give a little shout out to one of my best friends- Zac Velarde.

You see, at the time this picture was taken, Zac and I were almost and practically dating. At the time that I'm writing this, we're no longer dating, but we're still best friends. Sometimes we won't talk for months and then I'll need some good, solid advice on boys, and I immediately text Zac- my ex-boyfriend. Funny, isn't it?

Recently, I've been in need of a lot of advice from him, and he has been incredibly willing to help me out, calm me down, and make me realize that it's not the end of the world or make me realize that I'm not imagining things when I think someone is into me. Thanks, Zac, you're a true friend.

Anyway. People always wonder at how and why I'm still friends with all of my ex-boyfriends. I usually say, "I dunno... I just am. It was just easier..." but when I really think about it, I realize that I would be a total dumbo not to keep the boys I've dated as close friends. They know me better than a lot of my friends and some might even know me better than my closest girlfriends. They understand why I'm crazy and in what ways I'm crazy, and they care about me enough to stick around. I guess I've always been lucky to break up in a way that is easy for both of us and keeps our friendship and closeness intact. I'm really so grateful for that.

So today, I just want to say thank you to Zac Velarde. Heavens knows I'd be a crazy-head if I didn't have him to calm me down these past few days.

Love you, friend!

Love always,
Ems

California has my Heart.

As you probably know, we went to California over President's Day Weekend. I've always known that California has a hold on my heart, but with our escape vacation, I was reminded of how tight that hold is. What's not to love about California? I contest that there are very few things.

Anyway, we spent the majority of our time at Knott's Berry Farm, but were lucky enough to squeeze in some beach time, some movie time, and lots of memory making time. I feel so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful friends that make a nine hour drive seem like nothing.

It's also a good feeling knowing that you're all such good friends that any subject matter is fair game. Our conversations were incredibly varied which meant that there was never a dull moment together.

To me, this trip just epitomized college. What better way to make lasting memories than a total of about 24 hours in the car, 12 hours at an amusement park, and jumping into the freezing Pacific Ocean? Heavens know that the miles of homework we left behind could never create the same memories.

Thank you, Wright family, for living near LA and allowing us to stay at your house as we made such great memories.

And thank you, America, for having a holiday called President's Day.

Love always,
Ems

A Progression of Friendship.

   

 

As you may be able to tell from the photo dump that is currently all over your screen, Morgan Davis and I have been friends for an incredibly long time. I believe that it started long ago in nursery. We were probably two and a half when she, Jessika Bodrero, and myself met for the first time. I bet nobody could foretell that we would be forming an everlasting friendship in that fateful Adobe Ward Nursery room. Since that time, we've remained the best of friends. Growing up, there was nothing that Morgan and I did separately   We were on swim team- together. We danced- together. We were in ELP- together. We played the violin in Southwest Stringers- together. We read Jane Austen's Emma without understanding a word of it- together. Our ward eventually got split, and then Morgan was pretty much a part of The Greenfield ward with Jess and I. The three of us continued to be friends until those separating Poston Jr. High cheer try outs. They became cheerleaders and I became the student council nerd (a position that had been my fate since the fourth grade student council). Morgan and I were still friends, but we started to discover ourselves by doing different things- imagine that, becoming your own person! 

Anyway, eventually, student council would bring us back together for good. I became Jr. Class Spirit commissioner and she was Jr. Class President. We were once again doing things together and my life was once more complete. Granted, we had to put up with the ornery Ms. Scott,  but it was well worth it. We spent countless hours at Hobby Lobby, Toro Stadium, covered in glitter while decorating for dances, painting new posters, and avoiding Ms. Scott.  

It was bliss all over again, kind of like being a kid again and you know your best friend will be your best friend forever.  I loved every second of planning Jr. Prom with her, even though we still think that it would have been a lot cooler in the air hanger than Lavender and Old Lace. That's a different story, though. Senior year our old friendship continued and we graduated as best friends- the three amigos (Morg, Jess, and me) reunited at the end of our public education career. 

I could not have ever asked for a better best friend. I mean, who else is willing to play piranha popcorn with you- ya know, where the burnt popcorn pieces are piranhas and you can't touch them as you sit stranded in the middle of the tramp. Who else will try and clean up your dishwasher that has bubbles flowing out of it before your mom gets home because you put hand soap in it instead of dish soap and you just know it will be the end of the world if your mom comes home to find her kitchen floor is now a bubble bath. Few people would put up with my need to be the youngest girl when playing house (thanks Jess and Morg) or my awful Nintendo 64 skills (thanks Jess and Morg, again). Even fewer people will always be there for you no matter how old you get, how many dumb boys you date, or how many times you lick their face on accident (now that's a long story). 

However, somehow, through all those things, I still have my very best friend by my side. I cannot even express the immense gratitude I feel for Morgan. Through thick and thin, she's been there. She knows every part of my life. She knows the Barton family secrets, she knows the names of all our former pets, she even knows our garage code! She's been to California with my family more times than I can count. She's seen my mom singing into corn cobs, she's gotten in fights with Caleb, and she was an excellent support in making Seth and Shan kiss when they were four (which we got in trouble for). 

My life without Morgan would be boring. I wouldn't have someone to make up emoji stories with. I wouldn't have someone who loves Wii Party as much as I do. I wouldn't have a friend who is an expert "Emma shopper" and I wouldn't have someone to run to Last Chance with when we only have an hour left till it closes. Essentially, I wouldn't have anyone who is always up for spontaneous  crazy, sometimes idiotic things.  She doesn't stop me from being idiotic, which I guess is a good thing? Well, I mean, she stops me from doing really idiotic things, just not from making a full of myself in public. 

So, Morgan Davis. I hope that your 20th year is filled with lots and lots of good things. Like funny videos, and lots of photobooth pics, and funny letters from our good friend Maeser. I have no doubt that we will continue to stay best friends for life, I don't think it'd be possible for us to stop being friends- it'd be like taking away all the air in the world. Maybe not that dramatic, but you get the point. I love you to the next galaxy and back! 

Love always, 

Ems

Oh, Life.

Happiness.  That is how I would describe this fabulous thing called life. Happiness amidst all the crazy cold and snow. Lemme tell ya, I'm not a fan of the snow and after the dry winter of last year, I'm dying. Snow and cold weather are a serious problem when your closet mainly consists of skirts and dress.

Weather rant aside, this semester has started off like a firework. It's been full of excitement, changes, amazing classes, and of course, some budget office craziness- life isn't complete without some budget office craziness. Have I ever mentioned how much I love my job? I love my job. Also, craziness of the month (well, part of the craziness of the month) was realizing that Jacob's uncle is a professor in the Physics department! Say what? Why I didn't piece this together sooner is a mystery to me. Other notable events from the budget office include: another brownie failure (it's officially the guillotine of the office), another hundred pieces of fruit being polished, and pushing Melissa around the 4th floor on the scooter-cabinet-file-mover (we are professional). 

The changes in life have come in break ups (it's ok, we're still friends), decisions to go to Paris, becoming party animals (seriously, we are at a party every weekend- say what?), making lots of new friends (and becoming their friends by playing Keys...oh my), deciding to go off sugar for a month with Sophia (why we picked February, we'll never know), oh, and trying to figure out where I want to live spring/summer (too many options). 

Things to look forward to this month: warmer weather (a girl can dream), CALIFORNIA with the six amigos, Alex and Becca's birthdays (!!), starting my study abroad class, and maybe surviving the guillotine of the office by successfully making brownies for Nan (assuming she unbans me from brownie making). 

Favorite things of the moment: Valentine's Day lovin', Pitch Perfect CD, Keats's poetry, Dr. Walker's class, Frankenstein, my Poem a Day book, Taylor Swift, snuggies, The Gentleman's Game, and Kara's RIPPED class (Sophie and I can hardly move after her class). 

People, life is so incredibly wonderful. I'm feeling extremely blessed over here. 

Love always,

Ems

p.s. I apparently have a new thing for parentheses? 

On Having Classy Friends.

This weekend, we had quite a fabulous time. Friday was full of The Bachelor (thanks boys for enduring it) and a private dance party in our apartment with finger lights (thanks DeAnne for supplying such a fabulous entertainment gift). So maybe we weren't the classiest that night; however, that's not the point of this post.

Saturday night, we were able to go and celebrate Christopher's  birthday at his "Kennedy Administration" themed party. We all dawned our Black Tie, 60's apparel and headed out. My oh my did we have a fabulous night full of good appetizers, fake cocktails, and The Gentleman's Game. It was quite the evening and a very wonderful opportunity to make new friends and feel oh so sophisticated.

It's good to know that I have classy friends. Granted, I have always known my friends were classy, but you should have seen some of them play The Gentleman's Game- impressive, to say the least. Class is something that I really appreciate in a person which is why Christopher and I get along so well. Not to mention that those two boys up there have made our year so fabulous. Honestly, I could not ask for two better guys to be our closest friends. They are always willing to help us out with whatever we need, and they're just fun. Plus, we're all pretty sure we would never leave our apartment during the winter if it weren't for Chad, his fabulous winter-weather driving skills, and his sweet snow-tires that contain mini shards of glass. Aside from that though, they're just two of the nicest people you will ever meet. I adore Joey and Chad (Joey is on the left, Chad is on the right).

Also, it would be ridiculous if I didn't mention how blessed I am to work with such great people. The amazing thing about our office is that we are all friends- and not just we-are-nice-to-each-other-in-the-office friends, but real life, let's-hang-out friends. It is a blessing that few people can claim. Thankfully, they're all very classy people too. We just regret that not all our work friends joined us. I love you, Sophia, Blake, and Christopher!

Love always,
Ems

The View from Twenty.

I've now been twenty for a grand total of two and a half weeks. Let me tell you, I love it.
Mostly, I love the people who made my birthday magical- yes, magical.
Over the years, I feel like I've always been blessed to have wonderful, wonderful people in my life and that has not changed as I've gone away to college. I've found more and more that the Lord puts amazing people into my life to change my life and make it oh so wonderful. Let's take an examination of my birthday to prove this point.

Garrett. He started off my day full of 20 love notes hidden in my apartment AND at work. He involved my friends and made sure that I got all of them before coming over for the final part of the present- with flowers in hand. He wanted to make sure that I felt special throughout the day, and boy howdy did I. Not only that, but all the little notes that he gave to Sophia to hide at work kinda made Nan begin to start to approve of him. Good work there, Garrett, you sneaky boyfriend. His gift was also extremely thoughtful. He knew I had been looking for the Anastasia soundtrack for ages and so he found it for me! Gotta love a boy who keeps track of the little details of your life.

Next, we have Ms. Sophia Giler. Hi, I love her. Sophia is my work friend who became my real friend that I text almost every day. We love each other. She convinced Nan to let her make a cake for me and then invited Alex over to our office for secret family pictures in order to document my birthday. She is the reason that my roommates and I love Pretty Girl Rock and the reason that I love work so much. The fact that we are working almost all 20 hours together next semester makes me ridiculously happy for our lives. She's been such an amazing friend to me and made sure that I felt the love on my birthday- even if she forgot one of the notes that Garrett had written to me. I still love her.

Last, but most certainly not least, we have my amazing roommates. They took me out to Ihop on my actual birthday and all bought me books and then, on Saturday, they absolutely surprised me by planning a surprise party for me that included all my favorite people, bowling, and ice cream cake. Can a girl ask for much more from her best friends? I don't think so. I adore those girls.


So yes, the view from twenty has been magnificent and I feel incredibly blessed. I'm also incredibly happy to be home with my crazy family- it's funny how much I just want to be around my family now that I don't live at home. I can't wait for a fabulous twentieth year of life and feel very grateful to have made it this far surrounded by so many fabulous people. I am one very lucky girl.

Love always,
Ems

Friendship

There is much to be said for friendship. There is much to be said for finding new friendship and relishing in it. There is also so much to be said for strengthening old friendships that never seem to fade, no matter the things it's been through. In my time at college, I've realized how vital that feeling of friendship is to me, and more recently, I've realized how incredibly lucky I am to be surrounded by the friends, both old and new, that I have.

We had some friends over for dinner yesterday, and it was lovely to sit around the table and talk about all sorts of things; the feeling of friendship was almost palpable in our apartment, and in that moment, I was so incredibly happy. Then again today,  I sat in the library with a friend and my heart was full of a different happiness that I haven't felt for a while; a feeling of camaraderie and laughter that seemed to fill every part of my soul. When I came home to the roommates that I love, I was once again filled with that happiness, knowing they were ready and willing to listen to any exasperations or excitements that had happened today- I was just as eager to hear of their days. And as I went about the duties of the day, a dear, dear friend called me for advice, and I felt that we were both strengthened and uplifted by the conversation that ensued.

Knowing that you have people who truly care for you is an amazing blessing. It's incredible to see how friends reach out to you without even knowing how much you needed that hug or  that five minute phone call. I hope beyond all hope that I'm as good a friend to those I love as they are to me.

Love always,
Ems

Birthdays are the Best.

I love birthdays. Like really, I love them A LOT.
So yesterday, when it was my roommate Lindsey's birthday,
we left nothing to chance.
The morning started out with a decorated apartment,
german pancakes, presents, and happiness.
We then spent the day dipping fruit,
watching Lord of the Rings, and enjoying the beautiful Saturday afternoon.
Finally, we ended the day with birthday balloon wishes,
an adventure at Outback that included a free appetizer and dessert!
(we had the best waiter- thanks Tim!)

Lindsey is the greatest girl ever and I am so incredibly grateful for her in my life.
She's always so happy and caring and will help you with anything you could ever ask.
I hope that her 20th year of life proves to be fabulous and that she loves it as much as
her 19th year, if not more (hopefully more).

I love you, Lindsey!

Love always,
Ems

Moved In.

Our lives officially became successful when we all moved into our new apartment.
It was quite the feat that stretched over four days, but we're here!
So far, we love KH. We love our ward, we love our hot tub,
but mostly, we love being roommates!
Here's to a fabulous year at BYU!

Love always,
Ems

One of Those Days.

It was one of those days when I just needed a friend,
more specifically, a friend who wasn't hundreds of miles away.
Cue Jordynn Louise Alston, superb pseudo little sister.
She picked me up, and we went to the temple to sit in the shade
and enjoy the company of one another.
It was precisely what I needed.

Incredibly thankful for the amazing people in my life.
Nothing changes a bad day like a good friend.

Love always,
Ems

The Latest on Life.

Goodness, I don't even remember the last time I posted about real life. So this may be difficult.


First off, my good friend Maeser got his mission call to Fortaleza, Brazil! We were very excited for him!

Maeser and I are movie going buds. Latest wonderful film we saw? Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. I highly recommend it.


Next, I went up to my Grandma's with Josh and Sarah the weekend after conference and my Grandma and I were able to find her family in the 1940's census! It was an amazing experience.

Then finals week came and I almost died. I've never spent so much time in the library. Luckily, I had this boy to help me through...

(This is my attempt at his smirk and Jacob laughing at me.. Needless to say, only Jacob can do the Jacob smirk.)

My Aunt Kelly has become quite the Instagramer and I was struck one day by the resemblance between my cousins and myself. I guess this is natural since we're related and Jacob didn't understand what was so amazing about it, I just am really in love with the fact that I have family resemblances in me. It's the good 'ole Barton blood! 

Also, the four of us girls went on an adventure to City Creek Mall in SLC and we loved it! We were especially smitten with the Disney store. Oh, Disney. 

Then, the final days of my Freshman year came to an end. We had graduation, saying goodbye to dear friends, and way too many emotions to express. 

My last night with Mr. Jarvis before the mish. 

(Yes, I tied my own bow-tie)

 My brother Josh is a college graduate! 

Still in shock over Australia. 

So happy I ran into my favorite SLC boy, 

Mr. David Robinson! 

Then we took the long drive home. Luckily I had my best friend Morgan to keep me company, oh, and my amazing book, Death Comes to Pemberley. I highly recommend it to those who love murder and the Darcys. 

I seriously love Arizona. Driving into Mesa and smelling the jasmine was heavenly. And the 102 degree weather makes me want to sit outside all day. That's why Seth and I took a bike ride then drove to the Gilbert Temple. I'm so excited for the dedication! It's going to be beautiful! 

Ah man, life is good. 

Love always, 

Ems

Happiness Haps.

Here are some things that were pure happiness these last weeks....

1. Painting with the Mr. Ladd. I'm impressed with our water coloring skills, but no worries, it was mostly him. I only did the sky. Which actually, I think looks quite lovely. Man, I want to go to Paris

2. Hanging out with Cosmo at the last home gymnastics meet. Just the norm.

3. Hunger Games. I'm obsessed. Definitely cried throughout and still, it is the hottest topic at our lunch table.

4. The Holi Festival of Colors. So much fun, so much color. Definitely a must-do if you're ever living near Spanish Fork, Utah.

5. Less than a month till I am in Orlando and working at Disney World! Seriously, I cannot wait. Looking forward to lifeguarding, visiting the beach over and over, and meeting lots of new friends. It's going to be the life.

Gosh, I'm so excited for life. Hello, last two weeks of school, could things be any crazier? I think not! So many things to look forward to in the future, and although there is some sadness and the fact that I currently do not know any of my male friends in the fall, (this is what happens with missions.. girls have no male friends going into fall, it's cool) I am so excited for life. I see life as this wonderful thing that just is happiness crammed into an overflowing ocean of joy. I don't even know if that makes sense, but that's about how gigantic life is for me; an ocean, but one of joy.

Ain't this life the best?

Love always,
Ems