Say What?!

This weekend I got to see my awesome brother-in-law graduate from UVU with a BA in Graphic Design. Seriously, he and my sister are pretty legit. I mean, they have the cutest little girls ever and he got them to walk with him in their own little caps and gowns! (Props to the madre) I'm so proud of their little family. They are some of the best parents in the world, they work themselves to death and they're two of my best friends. Abby and Bella are two lucky girls! Mandy, like I've said in so many posts, is one of my greatest role models I've ever had. I hope to grow to have even a little bit of the courage, kindness, love, faith, and dedication that she possesses.

I guess the combination of the graduation, a wedding, and a farewell of some close friends got me thinking about my life. I've been pondering about my hopes and dreams. I know what I want out of life and I don't think I could have said that a few years ago. And guess what? I've finally figured out that what I want is actually exactly what Heavenly Father wants for me! How cool is that? With all of that mind, I've been getting excited for school to start  up again, excited to continue the path to one of my biggest dreams. I was looking at a syllabus for one of my new classes and I had a completely different thought pop into my head. Have you ever had that happen to you?  Do you stop and wonder if that thought was just a random happenstance or if it was something you were meant to hear? What if God wants me to do something I had given up on a long time ago, something that excites me and scares me more than anything I've ever known? What if God may want me to be doing something crazy for the next little while? What if that same thing mean I might miss out on something I've wanted for a LONG time? Well, I better go start praying!!
(Sorry for the vague post. I just had a lot of thoughts to get out and this is my form of a journal.)

We Do Not Fear Life

I haven't posted in a few months but I just have a few things I need to get out of my system. This post is going to be a little bit of a thankamony but I've found this to be the easiest way to stop thinking my life is falling apart. I just need to go through the list of all the people that are teachers in my life right now and thank them. I'm not looking for anything back after writing this. I just need to write this all out to see how amazing my life really is.


Audriana Jayne - You always believe the best in people. You see a person that everyone else automatically labels as bad news and you take them in. You love people because you know everyone has the potential to become something better than what they are. You have a true understanding of the atonement and it's ability to cleanse others of their mistakes and wrong doings. Thank you for being my "mom" and just holding me when I need it. I can truly say I've never connected with a friend on such a deep spiritual level in my life.


Jake Andersen - You understand that life is for laughing. You continually teach me that God wants me to happy through my trials and learn from them. You teach me the importance of hard work and sacrifice. You teach me that happiness takes work, I can't just expect it to come without doing anything in order to receive it. You make me smile when all I want to do is cry and work when I want to give up.

Julie (Mama) Byron - You handle life and it's challenges with such grace by looking outside yourself and always making time for your children. You have one of the most sensitive hearts that I one day hope to attain. You understand that your worth is determined by the Lord and not by others. I can sincerely say that you are my best friend. I know you'll love me even in the moments I can't find love for myself.
Sterling Randle -Even though I can't personally talk with you right now I find such strength in your letters. I know you write your emails to everyone back at home but I can't help but think certain things in them are for me. Thank you for teaching me how to listen to the spirit. You've taught me that everyone has different talents that help us build the Lord's kingdom. You teach me that we always have the ability to improve and come unto Christ. You continue to teach me how to look at the world and life as an adventure and something we must not fear.
Brooke Laursen - You continually teach me of faith. You have faith that everything will work out if you just give your all unto Christ. I've seen you blessed countless times this year due to your faith. Everyday I am working to build faith as strong as yours. You have been such a great roommate to me this year while I've struggled. I know its all very frustrating to you but you need to know that you've been an angel to me this year. You are going to bless so many people's lives by being their own personal angel while on your mission and for many years to come.

I have so many other people in my life that have blessed me substantially. The people listed are just in my thoughts and very near and dear to my heart at this moment in time. I love all of you that are reading this. Thank you for listening to the spirit and being an instrument in the Lord's hands at all times and an answer to my prayers. You will be blessed for you faithfulness.

P.S. - I know all these pictures are extremely outdated, you can tell by the ever-changing stages of my hair. My new goal is to take more pictures!

My Head's in the Clouds and I Can't Come Back Down

Sometimes I just want to wish away time, don't get me wrong I love my life now but i fantasize about what my life will be like one day. Someday I'll earn my degree in the subject that I love and change the world by looking to the past, I'll teach children what happened at sites like this one and how it's important for our future...


Someday I'll meet a man that wil make me laugh when I want to cry and smile when I want to scream. He'll take me on little inexpensive dates where we ride bikes or go on a picnic...


Someday that boy and I will decide we love each other and we want to spend the rest of eternity together...


Someday my handsome husband and I will live in a cute little brightly colored house somewhere close to D.C. with a little front yard where our kids can play much like this one...


Someday I hope to be half as incredibly graceful and caring as the women I admire, like Ilene Olsen, Julie Byron, Mandy Ogaz, Bekah Byron, Anna Bowman, Hilary Norton and Audri Marler. Someday. But for now I'll just work toward all those beautiful dreams and be happy in the now.


There's so much to rejoice in.

Don't Want to Forget Come Daylight

I've decided with the help on the encouragement of some of my friends to start blogging again. Since the last time I wrote was over a year ago I'll catch up on my life really fast. I live in Logan, Utah and attend USU while majoring in History. This is the greatest place I could be right now. I love everything about my little apartment and my family away from home. I couldn't ask for better roommates and friends. I crave me this girl named Anna who is something close to a sister to me. But alas she lives in big bad Ohio. This semester is crazy but already I love it so much more than last. I've been working on focusing on the good things in my life and I've found I have so much to be grateful for.

The simply amazing things:
My incredible friends
Vintage Wedding blogs
Roommates that stay up to cry, laugh, or dance with me
Books that inspire; The Night I disappeared and Pride and Prejudice being among my favorites Hair dye
My history textbook (I know I'm a complete and total nerd)
My institute teacher that truly is a man of God (I highly recommend Brother Maughan)
The atonement and the role it plays in my life daily
The knowledge that I have a heavenly father who loves me
And last but not least... Lyrics.
These are my newest favorite.


Paperweight by Joshua Radin and Schuyler Fisk
Been up all night staring at you wondering what's on your mind
i've been this way with so many before but this feels like the first time
you want the sunrise to go back to bed
i want to make you laugh mess up my bed with me kick off the covers
i'm waiting every word you say i think i should write down
don't want to forget come daylight
happy to lay here just happy to be here i'm happy to know you
play me a song your newest one please
leave your taste on my tongue
paperweight on my back cover me like a blanket
mess up my bed with me kick off the covers i'm waiting
every word you say i think i should write down don't want to forget come daylight
and no need to worry that's wastin time
and no need to wonder what's been on my mind it's you
it's you it's you every word you say i think i should write down
don't want to forget come daylight
and i give up i let you win you win cause i'm not counting
you made it back to sleep again
wonder what you're dreaming