Fa fa fa family.

The greatest blessing in my life is my family.

I love them more than words can say.

Not only do I love my immediate family, but my Aaaamaaaazing aunts, uncles and cousins. 

I love them all SO much!

They mean a lot to me.

The past weekend, was spent full of family time and my cousin Logan's homecoming talk.

He did great.

He's an amazing example to me and an all around great guy.

His love for the Savior and his gospel is very strong. I can feel it.

It made me miss Jake a little more than normal, but that's okay.

Jake will be home in 4 months.

That is IT!

I'm stocked.

I think these last few months will start going by fast when I'm back in school.

There is something about being with family that just makes me smile.

Even if we're not doing anything, I love just sitting and talking with everyone.

I'm very grateful that families can be together forever.

What a wonderful blessing.

Here are a few pictures from this past weekend...

Oh...

Could you do me a favor?

Pray for my Grandma, please.

She has suffered 2 strokes the past week and she could really use help from Heaven above.

Drop a line for her if you would.

We all are.

:)

Pinterest

Have you heard of Pinterest?

I'm an addict.

Hit up this page and get hooked.

Click Me

There's something about...

Seeing old people in love.

Watching rain.

Reading books to children.

Seeing improvement in others and yourself.

Music that takes your breath away.

Getting texts from people you haven't heard from in a long time.

All of these things I've been able to witness or experience the past few weeks. There is so many simple joys in life. We need to soak each one of them in.

Be Grateful

Tonight I was able to attend a fireside at BYU. The speaker was Kim Smith, the great-great granddaughter of Joseph Smith the prophet. She focused on the importance of families. She said that with the times that are coming, we will need to rely on our family ties. She talked about her conversion story when she turned 12 years old. Most of the JS line are those that have became part of the F-LDS sect or no religion at all. Her family line had many grudges with the prophet Brigham Young and understanding the LDS Faith. Their family was torn apart because of this.


Hold that thought. Rewind.

Lately, I have been really stressed with making sure I have enough money for school. The software I have to purchase for my program is extremely expensive, let alone my other supplies I have to buy for my classes. I talked to my mom about it and told her that I was worried about making sure I was set for school this coming year. My supplies, fees, housing, food, bills and tuition are going to be very expensive this year. I began complaining to her and telling her that I wish she and my dad would help me out with expenses more. In my teenage and immature mind, I got angry saying that they barely help me at all. 

They may not be sending me on Study Abroad or handing me cash for my tuition, but they help supply me with food, my daily needs and a place to live for the Summer. Mom and dad have helped me with the little things. I need to be more grateful for what I have.

After I said that, I realized what I said was terribly wrong. Even though I wasn't able to go on a study abroad this Summer like a lot of my friends, or have my parents pay in full for my tuition and housing, it has been a great experience for me to be humbled. Everything will work out. 

This fireside focused on the family and that we should not hold grudges or not forgive. I need to apologize, I need to be more grateful, I need to have more faith that things will work out. This fireside is just what I needed. Family is important and you should never take them for granted.


I have begun to realize when Satan can take control of me. He always gets me when I'm under pressure and stressed. I need to rely on Faith and my Savior. I was placed in this position as a college student and in the Interior Design program for a reason, He will make it all work out.

Happy Sabbath

Let us all remember our Savior today and the sacrifice He made for each of us.

My Bucket List

Do humanitarian work abroad.

Donate plasma.

Ride a donkey in Greece.

Design my own house.

Visit every state in the U.S.

Go on a study abroad.

Fly in a hot air balloon.

Catch a firefly in a jar.

Serve an LDS mission.

Ride a tandem bike.

Kiss in the rain.

Mud fight in a massive dress.

Go snorkeling.

Inspire someone.

Run a half.

Paint out of the country.

4 miles, say what?

I'm not a runner.
But I'm trying to be. Ha ha.
I went on a 4 mile run and it was great.

But what was even greater...when I got to work (after my run)
One of the little girls I teach said, "Wow teacher, you look so pretty today!"
....What? I thought to myself. I just ran 4 miles and you think I look pretty? Haha.
I told her that I just ran 4 miles, so I'm glad I look okay. :)
That made me laugh and realize how much I love little kids.
I know I say this a lot, but the little things in life, make life the greatness it is.

Living in the moment.

Summer is flying past...
Sometimes I catch myself wishing it away but then snap out of it and wonder why I would wish away a time like this? I've been able to earn money for school, live at home & save money!

I am very grateful to be home. It has been great to be with my family, I really missed them at school.
But, I also miss Logan a lot. I am excited to head back there the end of next month.

A bad habit of mine, is always looking what lies ahead.
Now this isn't necessarily 'bad' per say, but I realize I'm not living in the moment.
An example...Friday night I was making sure I had everything done before we went to my cousin Hayley's baptism, early afternoon Saturday. I was so busy cleaning my room, when my little sister Olivia asked if I would paint her nails for her. Snap! This is what I keep skipping out on. Soaking in the little unexpected moments in life. I ended up spending my night with my sister on my big bed..watching movies, painting her nails and talking with her.  This may seem small but I am going to try harder this week to soak in those little moments I have with others and not worry about what is coming the next week, day or even hour. We, especially me should never take the little things for granted. Especially time with your family.

It's true, it's the little things in life that make life what it is.
  

Hayley's Baptism

Yesterday, my cousin Hayley got baptized.

What a special day for her.

It was an awesome day; full of love, laughs, great food and family time. <3

Happy Fourth

((Balloon Fest in downtown Provo))

Remember all those that have gone before us to let us have the freedoms we are blessed with today.

Freedom Aint Free

A few days back, I was able to witness the swearing in of a group of 20 immigrants to receive their American Citizenship. It was such an awesome experience to be there! I loved hearing all of their stories of how important freedom is for them. One commented, "We just want to be apart of your country, I feel like a lot of Americans take it for granted."

I thought about that for a minute & I hate to say it, but I'm sure I have been one of those fellow Americans before. It's not something that we constantly notice, because it's just a way of life. I need to be noticing the little things in life. Being able to go to church every Sunday and worship how I like, attending college and so many other many freedoms that I don't always recognize.

Another one commented, "I've waited 20 years for this to happen! I'm excited to vote! Do not avoid voting. This country means more than anything to me and to be able to express my political views, it's amazing! The Lord has given me this opportunity."

Happy Fourth of July, everyone!

Freedom ain't Free.

    

My pal Jordan came to visit me from Logan

The good old fam. :) 

((Pictures from Stadium of Fire Fireworks last night))