Another Bites The Dust...

Tears are comin' out of my face...excuse me. Happy/sad/jealous tears of course (I'm confused with my emotions).


The girl next to me, Bethany Cluff, is leaving on her mission tomorrow. 18 months of teaching the Gospel to the people in Antofagasta, Chile.

Words cannot describe how amazing she is. I have known her since I was in 8th grade and we have grown a strong bond together. Bethany has taught me how to love life and to laugh no matter what happens. She integrity SHINES and her virtues shines even brighter. She is so stinkin' strong and her testimony has strengthened mine. I look up to her and she has never let me down. Did I mention how freaking HILARIOUS she is? She ALWAYS puts a smile on my face no matter WHAT. Bethany is also an INCREDIBLY hard worker - she never gives up.






Bethany, you are going to do WONDERS in Chile. The people there are so blessed to have you and all of us Mesa People are SO proud of you! Love you Bethany!

Don't worry, I'm alive.

To celebrate one more final, I will post what has been happening in my life.

Absolutely nothing. That is why I haven't posted! School has eaten me up and is about to spit me back out after this last final on Thursday. My social life? yeah. I don't have one.

Well...I guess there has been stuff happening.

Remember good ol' Todd?

This fool is leaving TOMORROW to serve a 2 year mission in SOUTH KOREA.  I have known him (and his smolder) since 7th-8th grade-ish and I am SO proud of him. He is truly going to bless the people of South Korea. His farewell talk was absolutely powerful and was another confirmation of how much I love the Gospel. I love the way my life is set out and the many things Heavenly Father has ready for me.

Go get 'em Todd! We're all proud of you!

Here are some future missionaries... 

1. Bethany Cluff leaves December 19th for Antofagasta Chile! (Just thinking about her leaving makes tears come out of my face...I'm going to miss her waaay too much)

2. Colton Bond ALSO leaves December 19th for Mexico Cuernavaca!

3. Natalie Lewis leaves January 16th for Boston Mass. !!!!! (I am stoked for her...you have NO IDEA)

4. Jacob Peterson leaves January 23rd for the Washington D.C. North Mission!

 

5. His sister Hannah is leaving Feb. 27th for Concepcion Chile! (Sorry, couldn't find a picture... just imagine THE most gorgeous girl out there and you'll have no trouble imagining her. Chile is SO stinkin' blessed to have her.)

6. Jordan Brimley is leaving Feb. 13th for Ft. Lauderdale Florida! (Thinking about him leaving also makes tears come out of my face...he is one outstanding kid! Florida is blessed to have him!)

7. Riley Royer leaves February 20th for Honduras! (Absolutely perfect)

(and yes I stole this from his Facebook because this picture made me so proud of him...get over it!)

As you can tell, I love my missionary friends and I canNOT wait to go on my mission. I can start my papers in March, turn them in sometime in June and leave by October! But here is the thing...

I WANT TO GO NOW. 

Oh and....

14 more days till CHRISTMAS!!!!

I am the one hiding under your bed, teeth grown sharp and eyes glowing red!!

IT'S HALLOWEEN TIME FOLKS!

Being an adult now, I have changed my view of costumes (besides Rapunzel).

No more fairies, dalmations or karate kids.... I am now Katniss Everdeen for Halloween.
Today, I went on a long voyage to Target and Hot Topic to recover a Katniss-like outfit and Mockingjay Pin to match.
I would attach a picture, but I will save that for later...
I'm so excited for Halloween and to pass out candy to the youngin's!! October has been swell and life has been quite great. I have been listening to countless amounts of Halloween music (look up Medley: This is Halloween... by the Contestants of The Sing Off - amazing.)

Did I mention that I'm SO STINKING STOKED FOR HALLOWEEN?
I did? Oh, well...I guess I'll just say it again.
I'm SO STOKED. What are ya'll going to be for halloween?
Always remember; I don't care if you're 5 or 98...you can still dress up for Halloween!

Prayers Answered - I'm Ready Lord!

I've been listening to General Conference ever since I can remember and I've heard stories of how General Conference has "answered prayers" and has changed lives. Don't get me wrong, it does bring a strong and warming Spirit into my life - but I've never had/felt prayers truly be answered.

When I got my Patriarchal Blessing on November 11 2008, it kind of described me going to the Temple and getting ready for a mission (girl's can leave for their mission at the age of 21). I'd also be the only sibling/child in my family who has ever been on a mission. But I always thought that "Oh I'm most likely going to be married by then, maybe it's a mission with my husband!"

Now, the first session of the 182nd General Conference the prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, announced men have the option if leaving at 18 years old (high school graduate and prepared) and women can leave at 19 years old.

-19 YEARS OLD-

I turn 18 years old on Saturday.... When President Monson had spoken these words, the Spirit literally hit like a brick wall. I've grown up knowing I'd have to wait till I was 21, with the possibility of me getting married instead. My prayers were answered...Heavenly Father wants me to get ready for the best 18 months of my life....and he wants me to get ready NOW.

I am proud to say, I can start my mission papers next week and I can leave after October 2013. I am ready to go and serve the Lord, being a shining light in my family. I am ready.

All my older siblings (whom I love dearly) have chosen different paths that have made my parents feel that they have failed the Lord and His plan, which has usually made me feel like also a failure...but here's my chance and my parents are absolutely estatic! I pray daily, asking how I can possibly bring my siblings back or at least closer than usual - this might be it! I can go on a mission, make my parents proud and most importantly, the Lord!

I cannot wait to share my testimony and bring those to this wonderful Gospel. I cannot wait to teach the people about the Savior's Atonement and Heavenly Father's love for everyone of His children. I cannot wait to bring the Book of Mormon into so many lives.

After this announcement, I was so proud to see more than half of my friends choose to serve a mission because they are old enough now! I'm so thankful for this Gospel I live in - I feel so much peace and happiness in it.

I'm ready to go and serve Heavenly Father.

Single Digits

 9 more days till all my childhood is gone...

First tooth GONE.

I wasn't abused... it was my first explosive bloody nose..

First concert with Pa Winsor

See? I was a joyous child.

First vacation with the best friend

Robbie being tortured by pre-teen me.

First time to Disneyland for celebrating being birthed 11 years ago.

8th grade Honor Roll Nerd.

Sophomore

World domination will be harder to achieve.  

BOWL. CUT.

But here's to being 18 in 9 days! Single digits people!!!!

Brag bragbragbragbrag BRRRAGGGG.....

Don't mind me......

      but my niece is cuter than yours.

Cutest Family Award goes to....

And Alex obviously wins Best Face Award.

Not Your Ordinary Woman.

It's been a long month of September, folks.

Ma Winsor had to leave for Georgia to help my grandma take care of Ma Winsor's grandpa (my great grandpa). I miss my momma.
Her 50th birthday was on September 24th and we literally don't know when she's coming home. I planned to make sure she was going to have a glorious party, but she decided to be even more fabulous and serve her mother. I don't know when she is coming home and I seriously miss her like crazy.
BUT.
This woman deserves all the best in this universe. She is hilarious, amazing, absolutely gorgeous, strong, caring, hardworking, intelligent and an inspirational example in my life.

She wants for me to be happy and to be feel good about myself. She pushes me to be successful and loves me for me. She keeps the house orderly and joyous.
I'm so grateful for her and she is MY mother :)
When people say I look like her, it's the best compliment ever.
Happy 50th Birthday Mother Dearest :)

It's NoThang.

You know what I love...

People I know and them, knowing me.
It makes life so happy! They trust me, I trust them... they know ME. They have no doubt of who I am and what I stand for. I am so blessed!
This week has been pretty swell I must say. No escuela on Monday-o, I caught up on homework and rested me tired body (I definitely regained all the tiredness though). Tuesday, went to school and made in friend in my class.
RANDOM FACT: I am super shy when I first meet people, unless I'm with multiple friends...then I'm fine. Other than that, it's just hard!
Anywho, she made the first mood of talking to me and then I fell in. I was so happy! My comfort level of being in that class is slowly but surely rising. WIN. Then at 2pm-7:30pm I went to my job. I had kind of an upsetting experience last week that has made me dread work even more. Another random fact about me, I don't cry easily. If I'm crying, someone must have messed up BAD or it's a really sad/good movie. But that's about it. Well on Friday, I went home....sobbing. It was bad, people. But I will tell you this, I'm grateful for my close friends at work who talked to me and tried to make me feel better. To have people go out of their way to make you happy, it's phenomenal and it makes me want to return the favor even more.

So you remember my dear ol' friend Sam? Who is in France? Well, I wrote him a month ago and have been waiting for a letter ever since. Well, here is what happened yesterday...







I have never ran inside my house so fast screaming "IT'S HERE! HE WROTE BACK!" I was so happy! I'm thankful that he is doing fine and I'm so proud of my friend!

Well, in about 20 minutes I will be off on a date with Carter Heaton. :) Date night = fun night.. err night.

Freshie Fresh.

I LOVE COLLEGE.
Even though I have to wake up in the wee hours of the morning, I LOVE IT. I have an hour break between my Education class & my piano class (which is so easy that it's not even funny) AND another hour break between Piano & Institute.

Now, Institute. 

I cannot describe to you how amazing Institute is. I am taking the Book of Mormon class with Bro. Allen and that man... he makes the Spirit strike your heart with full force and it's absolutely glorious. My life has truly needed this renewing where I can just feel happy and not judged. I literally feel my Savior's love and the Spirit so strong in there. I've also made SO many friends! Even though every time I walk into the building, I feel as if all the RM's are putting a price on whether I'm marriage material.

Dear RM's,

I'm only 17.

Stop scaring me.

-AubriAnna

This past week has been....interesting. At Chick-fil-A, two parents got into a fight. Literally. She punched him, he punched her, she pushed him (mind you, this is in the play place in front of his, hers and other parent's kids) and his gun fell out of his pocket. He pointed it at her & then put it away.

He had a gun.

**A GUN.**

I was in the kitchen taking out the trash when I heard one of my friends tell his brother (a close friend of mine) to stay in the back. So obviously I'm like "Uh. What?" I then see everyone looking out the door, so obviously, I want to see. I see the 2 parents SCREAMING at each other and then I hear one of my friends say "He has a gun!" Now, I'm freaking out. Brayden is telling me to stay back, Kaylea is crying her face off, Elizabeth is panicking, etc. and all of us are just watching, waiting. I was shaking and praying that no one will be hurt and/or killed. I can't even imagine. I'm thankful for my Heavenly Father protecting us all that day.

No one got hurt and I thank Him everyday for the life I have been blessed with.

I'm thankful for my friends/the normal people at work.

I'm thankful for my parents and my siblings.

I honestly could go on.

But I have a similar "i love life" post.

:)

SO. Today at the good ol' MCC, I went to the on-campus cafe to study for an hour before my Piano class. I sit down and take my books out of my bag. Then, a man with LONG dreadlocks sits in the other chair on the other side of the table and says (with a thick Jamaican accent), "I want to make you my Jamaican Princess!" He gets up, and walks out.

Oh ya know, just another day at MCC.

Getting proposed to, no biggie.

Godspeed :)

*A New Beginning*

Now that I'm old and wrinkly (ok, maybe not wrinkly) ... I have applied to college. Don't worry! It's only MCC, I'll still be around good ol' Mesa causing havoc.

I start going to school on the 18th based on the Presidential Scholarship I received which pays for ALLLL my tuition. Hallelujah. Just saying. Monday, Wednesday & Fridays I start school at 7am and end before 12pm, but I'm going to make myself stay there till 2pm so I can study like crazy. In order to keep this scholarship, I have to ace ALL my classes. Oh boy. But I'm up for the challenge! Tuesday & Thursday, I have 1 class at 9:30 and it's Child Development. Then I stay at the campus till 12pm (I think). Anywho, then my last class on Saturday? .....

*DRUM ROLL PLEASE*
 YOGA!
Yes, I'm taking a Yoga class every Saturday at 8am. Credit for my body and my education? Hollah!

To be honest, I'm terrified. It's college. I should be back to kindergarten, eating snacks - at least I want to be back at that age where everything was fine. Now I'm in this big bad world, where one wrong move can send me in a downward spiral. I'm glad I have a LOT of support because, I probably wouldn't be able to do it without all of it.

Oh! I cut 4 inches of my hair off and got bangs. BIIIIIIG change just so ya'll know. I haven't had bangs since I was maybe .... 6 years old? Yeah? So, basically.... HUGE change. But apparently it looks good because people REALLY like it. So I guess I'm happy with it! :)


Well, this isn't the most exciting post but, I just wanted to update and say HEY I'm growing up. Holy flip.
I'm going to be 18 years old in 2 months. Adult life, here I come. And yes, I'm planning already what I'm going to do for the day of celebration on October 13th ... and I know it's only August.

Proud & Waiting.

Can I just say? I love that my friends are going on missions and are working their tails off to serve the Lord. It makes me so stinking proud!

                         One of my closest friends, Sam Dampt, left for the MTC on July 11th and he soon will be  leaving to Lyon, France! :)

Missionary Work is such a powerful thing and I'm proud of my friends who are going not because of their parents or a girl or because the rest of their friends are going. They go because they want to serve the Lord and they want to bring the Gospel into other's lives. I'm thankful for their testimony in my life :)

Another missionary friend :) Tim Sharp will be in Minnesota!

And Jacob Black is FINALLY in Singapore :)

It's always bittersweet when your close friends leave for two years. But I know they are there for an amazing purpose and support them every bit! I just have to get better at writing letters :)

FABULOUS

Oh hey there!

+Update #1)
Just call me Aunt AubriAnna :)

YEP! On June 21st 2012, Alexandra Christine Winsor was born into this world - 7lbs. She is THE most precious thing, and an awesome baby! Holy cow, she is also DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.



Look at those beautiful eyes!! Oh, I just LOVE this girl!!!! Yes, she will be spoiled rotten by me :)
+Update #2)
Bye bye braces!! I am no longer a metal mouth, just a mouth full of pearly whites! :) I feel pretty and feel so self confident! I loooove my new smile. And the best compliment I was given today was "Your smile is radiant ma'am! Absolutely stunning!" I got them off in the wee hours of this morning (okkaaaay...like 9:30am...that's early for the summer!!)

+Update #3)
I went to institute at ASU for the first time yesterday! It was like seminary but with people who WANT to be there and actually pay attention - hallelujah! I love institute and i love spelling it like "insta-toot" - pardon my 5 year old humor.

An Amazing Angel Added to Heaven

Danail Frey
August 24, 1993 - June 12, 2012
 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy  4:7

Today my friend Danail Frey went to her open armed Heavenly Father. She passed away from her long, heart wrenching battle with cancer but now, she is pain free. Amid her trials, Danail always smiled. Her smile was absolutely stunning and so was her spirit. Along with her smile, her testimony was strong and amazing. I had the privilege to be in Seminary with her last year  and she strengthened my testimony. 

Everyone loved Danail so much - my heart goes out to her family. But we must realize something very important.. we will see her again! We can celebrate her life and know, this is not the last time we will see Ms. Danail Frey. We will see her bright smile and be with her again :)

We love you Danail! We miss you and cannot wait to be with you again!

The Small Things

I'm so grateful for my life.

On Wednesday, my good friend Tim Sharp is leaving on his mission to Minnesota. I am so proud of him and any one of my guy friend's who choose to serve. It brings such joy to my life to know of their decision. Tim leaves June 13th, Sam Dampt leaves July 11th (a month from tomorrow!..he is in the picture behind us) for France, Rusty Burbank leaves for Richmond Virginia August 1st, and then my dear friend Hyrum Layton leaves October 24th for Concepcion Chile! Hyrum is behind Sam in this picture.... dorks. Also my awesome cousin Braden Winsor is in Washington right now, he only has about a year & a half left! Lastly, my friend Jacob Black is in the MTC at this VERY moment - going to Singapore!


I'm grateful for my friends and their examples in my life; my family and their undying love; laughter; the piano; music in general, it's constant therapy and it comforts me daily; food...food food food; water - I am addicted. I have 3 water bottles right next to my bed; my siblings & their hilarity( Caleb, Kim, Sean, Danny and Britt); The Book of Mormon; Seminary; my glorious bed; my high school years at Westwood; photography; Disneyland; Pres Thomas S Monson and his loving words; braces (June 28th, I will no longer be a brace face!);  my full head of hair that I didn't have before; my name, I used to HATE my name but it is so unique and it is MINE :) ; Trials, they make me who I am today; Girls Camp; cold winters that make me want to NEVER leave my bed; the Temple; temple baptisms; temple marriages that make me even MORE excited to get married in the future; hymns; my phone; my ipod - oh my heavens, I panic when I can't find it; photographs; memories; when you laugh so hard, you can't breath; The Bible; shinanigins; tomfoolery; Shaunna Krieg aka ALLEN; Relief Society, it's a lot better than you think!; any Disney movie in this world; Macaroni and Cheese with cup up hot dawgs; Ramen!; Reeses, bless the person who made the greatest candy ever; my parental units LOVE THEM; honesty; this country and the people who sacrifice to make it better; my Grandma Winsor and Grandma & Grandpa Smedley; My Savior; paychecks; missionary letters; bright colors; basketball shorts; SHOWERS; Christmas; butterflies in my stomach; smiles; bear hugs (from humans, not bears) ; having the ability to drive....


I honestly could go on but it's getting late and I'm tired :) (I'm grateful for sleep as well)


Life is going quite swell for me - I'm working my tiny tail off at Chick-fil-A. I meet the weirdest and the nicest people ever each day. Some days I want to rip my hair out but that's against the Health Department rules. I must say though, a smile can do a lot to someone :)Go smile BIG at someone :)


Goodnight!

IMMA ADULT!

 So I stink at blogging.

But hey! On May 24th, I graduated from Westwood High School. I remember when my older sister Brittany graduated when I was in 8th grade. During her graduation, I honestly could have cared less...until it was my turn. The tough three years were worth it and I met some amazing people on the way. Forever will my blood run deep orange and once I was a Warrior, I will always be a Warrior.

Love these girls :)

Liz Gunnell :) My best friend. She makes me laugh so freaking hard and she is SO GORGEOUS. I'm grateful for her example in my life. I look up to her each and every day! I absolutely love LOVE her!

My family :) I honestly couldn't have done it without them. Thank you for your support and love throughout these frustrating years. I, AubriAnna Winsor, have THE best family.

Oh this kid. Devin Carroll. One of the funniest kids I have ever met and probably the weirdest. And, THAT is why he is my best friend (plus a bunch more reasons). He is caring and participates in my randomocity. He doesn't make me feel dumb in anyway! atta boy Devin!

And this is our friendship in a nutshell.

Todd Leavitt. Friends since 7th grade. He is so polite and such a great kid! Greatest Prom date ever!

Tanner Price and Jordan Rankin- 2nd hour buddies!

2 of a kind I tell ya...

Jordan Brimley and Devin.

Best. Picture. Ever.

The Fantastic Five. THESE guys kept me in line, made me smile every day, loved me for being ME, made my sides hurt from laughing so hacking hard....I absolutely adore them all.

The ladies of 2012 :)

Marianne Hoku Peterson! She was my first friend at Westwood and my Algebra 2 buddy! I love her and SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL. I'm pretty sure it's illegal. 

And this weirdy is Matt Anderson.