Lauren's Happenings

I am becoming one boring, old adult. Just wait til you hear about my weekend.

On Friday, after I finished volunteering at the deaf school, I came home and did laundry. Steph soon came home, and we spent some time catching up. The rest of my night was spent cleaning the house, finishing laundry, and watching a movie. Lame, I know. I even had 3 events I could have gone to. I guess I did have a stressful week.

On Saturday, Steph went to Mesa for Avery's party, Syd was already home in Mesa, and Annabeth was with Chris, so I had the house to myself all day. I did more boring adult things, like grocery shopping, homework, etc. At 2, I went to a lesson with the missionaries for a sweet girl named, Arminda. The lesson was about the plan of salvation. She had great questions and was really engaged. As soon as the lesson was over, I drove super fast over to ASDB. I worked at the dorms for the first time this semester.

For any of you who don't know, ASDB stands for Arizona School for the Deaf and the Blind. I work in the deaf dorms every once in awhile. Well yesterday I worked from 3-11 in a boys dorm. The kids were so cute, they were elementary aged, which also meant SO hyper! The first 2 hours were spent running around, and playing outside. I even got to revisit my childhood and ride a scooter.

From 5-5:30 they ate dinner. Then from 5:30-6:30 they played on the playground. I pretty much just sat on the bench and chatted with the other worker.

6:30-7:30 we went into the girls dorm (we had one elementary girl with us and there is a lobby in each dorm), and played jump rope. Then I got to chat with one of the high school girls I used to work with. She was one of my BFFs while working. She told me at least half a million times that she missed me and invited me to her graduation one hundred more times. Love her.


Once I got my ninos asleep, I moved over to the middle school/high school dorm. I basically spent the rest of the night playing Uno. The best part was hearing this cute 12 year old laugh. I'm telling you, if you want happiness, hear a deaf kid laugh. The second best was him signing sorry everytime he gave me a "draw 2, draw 4" card.

Finally by 11 I got off work. I was STARVING. So I stopped at McDonalds for a spicy chicken sandwich, revisiting my High school traditions.

I'm going to rant for a second. How can a parent just not care to learn ASL if they have a deaf child? It is your child. How can you just not care enough to build a relationship with them? A school solely for deaf children is great, but they need a family too. The kids don't even like going home (when they rarely do on big holidays even though they can go home every weekend), because their families don't talk to them. I have yet to met a student at ASDB that has any family member that can sign. I just want to shake the parents. Idiots. End rant.




On Sunday I had church from 9-12, the usual. I was too lazy to wake up on time, so I went with natural hair for the 3rd week. Cool.

Right after church I went to the ASL branch with Olivia. There were a total of 12 people there, including the missionaries. They just meet in a classroom for sacrament meeting.


After the deaf branch, I took Olivia home and checked out her adorable house. Seriously, they had so many cute accents, and all the furniture was adorable.


Once I got home, I changed and went to the Binghampton Cemetery to visit the graves of my great grandparents. I was fortunate enough to get to know my Great Grandma and Grandpa Luke before they passed.

So Thursday I took a test to become certified as an interpreter. Well in hopes to pass! I'm going to back track though.

This has been quite the week.

This week has been full of parties, but all for one special friend, EJ. It is his birthday on the 12th/Sunday/today plus he got a new job! His job is taking him away from us, so the parties were also like a farewell. EJ has been the greatest friend to so many, so of course one party would not suffice.

The first party/celebration happened on Tuesday night. We got a big group and surprised EJ at Native New Yorker. A place our group likes to go to for wings and trivia. So many people showed up for him, both old and more recent friends. It was great and EJ was so confused. When he walked in the room, he thought he was intruding on another party. Like he wasn't invited or he thought he forgot it wasn't just him and Taylor coming. He was surely surprised and loved it.










Being under the flag was fun for about 3 seconds until I started having a panic attack. It was dusty and I felt like I couldn't breathe. Of course it was all in my head but it was awful.

Anyway, after the game we went over to my house to celebrate EJ's Birthday. His family came down for the game, and his mom hosted the party. She made delicious cupcakes, along with these drinks (not sure what they were but they were good), and salsa.

We all went around the room and said at least one thing we love about EJ. Of course some people had to get their "roasting" in first, but then almost everyone had something nice to say. EJ is a gem.

Today is my BFF DJ's Birthday. So to keep tradition, here are 18 things I love about my buddy. 

1. He is very chill. It takes a lot to upset him, and even then he is still pretty calm. He is very patient with his home of predominantly women.


2. He is financially wise. In his spare time this summer, he made a budget and for Christmas he asked for some stock. (No wonder he is my dad's fav. Haha)


3. He loves old music. That is one thing you don't mess with. If he is listening to his music, you better be singing along, or be quiet, but don't complain. He will tell you exactly why oldies are the best.


4. He holds me to a high standard and keeps me in line. If I'm watching something or listening to something he does not approve of, he will let me know. He also holds me to the highest standard of modesty. Now that I am older, I am grateful he expects the most out of me.


5. DJ does not need recognition. He also does not ask for a lot, like I said before, he is chill. He earned his eagle scout but he didn't even care to have a "court of honor". Most people would love to have that praise after all that work, but nope, not DJ.


6. DJ is an amazing singer. He made regionals as a freshman which is a HUGE honor. Most kids in choir never get to experience that.

7. He is mr smarty pants. The worst part is, he doesn't even have to work at it. He scored 100% on his math AIMS like it was no big deal. He kills me.


8. He is also mr smarty pants in gov'ment. He absolutely loves it. I on the other hand did not pay an ounce of attention in government class. So thankfully he kindly answers all my government questions now that I need in life. He doesn't even make fun of the stupid questions.


9. He cares about looking nice and will let his sisters help dress him. We take advantage of it a little too much and bring 10 outfits each, but that is where his patience kicks in.


10. He is corky. He does his own thing.

11. He is a tease but never in a hurtful or dirty way. He is the best jokes and can always make me laugh.

12. He asks love/dating advice. I love when I can "in turn" help a little bit. I am eager to see who he ends up with because she is going to have to be a top notch kind of girl.


13. He is straight up righteous. He does all those primary answers, even when it is not convenient. I have come home many times (at a late hour) and seen him still awake reading his scriptures. He is a champ.


14. He is unique and doesn't follow the world. He is the perfect example of living in the world but not being "of" the world.

15. He is very obedient to our parents. In fact sometimes he puts even more restrictions on himself like taking the internet off his phone just to play it safe.


16. He is a hard worker. Being the oldest boy in our family, he is always called to do manly jobs. When we go on family vacations with my mom's side, he is the hardest working one there. Everyone wants DJ to help them. He never complains though, he just jumps right up!


17. He has dance moves like it's nobodies business.


18. He loves and cares for everyone. He has a kind heart.



Even though DJ is younger than me in years, he is obviously more mature. He is a champ and will go extremely far in life. I am so proud to call him my brudder. Love you David!