Hey friends and family! I decided to start a blog because there's so much happening that I want to tell everyone but i can't because there's so much happening! So here it is. My new sanctuary. (:
I live in a little suburb called Burr Ridge about 20-30 minutes west of the city of Chicago. I live with one of my most favorite families, the Hooglands. There's my uncle Scott, my aunt Leah, and their three kids. Rylan who's 9, Maddie who's 4, and Ian who is 20 months. I love them so much!

I got to school at a high in high school call Lyons Township. Their mascot is, of course, a lion. Their colors are blue and yellow and the campus is HUGE. It has two buildings and both are 4 stories tall. The building with the choir rooms also has 8 gyms and a swimming pool! It's almost overwhelming. P.E. here is required also and that's also a big difference because in Rexburg, anyone who takes P.E. is crazy.. haha! But my first day in P.E. ,my teacher instantly made me feel super welcome and she has me under her wing. I also made one of my closest friends in that class. Maureen Elizabeth and i were put together as partners for golf and we just talked and became really good friends! The next weekend, we had a sleepover!

The Thursday of my first week of school, i got stopped by two kids in my 10th hour class and they invited me to the drama club. And of course i joined because i want to make this the greatest experience i can. They became my close friends too! Joey and Sarah. I'm acctually currently doing the sound board for a school play the varsity drama club is putting on called Curiosity. All the crew and cast really welcomed me and i am having the greatest experience.

I love being able to start over but i also miss my Rexburg a lot. There are some great friends that won't be at my school next year that i could've had one last year with. I'm also missing my cousin Porter's and my really good friend Riley Allen's farewells and i won't be able to see my brother graduate. :( I'm sad about that but i know that it's not the end of the world.

I went to my first football game here on Friday and it was lots of fun. There were over 7,000 people there, and i sure could tell! We left 3 hours early just to get a seat that we ended up losing anyways! At the game, we had paratroopers fly in the game ball. It was so awesome! Everyone had their iPhones out taking pictures and videos. (That's another thing. Everyone here has iPhones and cars so shiny you have to wear sunglasses.) I met some great new friends and we had a great time!

                     Me and Sarah on our way to the game.

That's all for right now but more to come. I love and miss you all!