The Weekend + Easter

+ Minus from my dad, I got flowers for the first time from the male gender.

+ German chocolate has tickled my taste buds all weekend. 

+ I got to catch up with a friend who just returned from his LDS mission. (hence the chocolate from Germany)

+ I shopped until I dropped (literally) at City Creek with my madre and sister.

+ While shopping, I bought the most amazing dress, ON SALE. Praise to the clearance heavens.

+ Happened upon the cutest old time candy store. Hello sugar bliss.

+ Took the traditional Easter pictures with the fam. (Yay for self timer fails.)

 

+ Visited my mom for the afternoon.

+ Had Easter dinner with the extended family.

+ And lastly, I got to celebrate the life of my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful to be a part of this gospel, and to have the knowledge that I do. I'm grateful for the atonement. I know the strength that comes from it, the healing, and the blessings. I know that my Redeemer lives, and I need him every hour. I am His child, and I strive to walk in the light of His love. "He is risen! He is risen! He hath opened heaven's gate. We are free from sin's dark prison, Risen to a holier state. And a brighter Easter beam, on our longing eyes shall stream." Oh, how I love Him! Happiest of Easter's to you!

photo via Mark Mabry

Things You Should Know

Not too long ago I did a post about some useless information, I know.

You're probably thinking, really? Another one?

But here are some more, because if we're gonna be friends, I think you should

know some of these. 

Annnddd... I'm bored tonight. 

So too bad.

// I sometimes sleep with my window open when it's cold outside because it makes me feel like I'm camping.
// I wish I could play the guitar so bad, and sometimes I pretend like I can when no one is home. And I sing along. (I just got a guitar for my birthday too. Score!)
// I have wicked awesome dance moves. All original of course. Which are too cool to post on here. Cool or embarrassing.. but I'm going with cool.
// My fingernails are always cut to the very shortest they can be without being painful. I so wish I had long, healthy, beautiful nails.
// My hair doesn't grow past the length it's at now. It seriously just stops.
// If I could pull off wearing yellow, I would wear it all the time.
// Speaking of clothes, yes, I wear the same fleece lined leggings and over sized red sweatshirt multiple times a week. No shame. It's the most comfortable thing I own.
// I have never had a bloody nose. In my whole 20 years of life. Not once. No broken bones either.
// Milk is my fave. Possible reason for the last fact? Most likely.
// I h-a-t-e my natural lip color.
// It's nearly impossible for my skin to tan. If I'm outside ALL day (and I mean sun up to sun down) and everyday (as in at least 5 of the 7 days) then yes, it happens. Otherwise, I'm as white as ever.
// I have a problem when it comes to the $5 movie bin at Walmart, and the $5-$10 racks at Hastings. You guys, they have some of the best movies. (I just bought Safe Haven for $3. You read that right. THREE DOLLARS. Props to Walmart.)
// My mouth absorbs any/every colored drink like nobody's business. It's the worst. Gross? Sorry.
// It's really hard for me to believe that octopus's--octopi (?) exist. Like, secretly I think they are made up... shh.
// I also didn't believe (still question it) for the longest time that Alaska was an island. I mean, I grew up seeing this map at school. How was I supposed to know it was connected? I also found out my Senior year of high school that it wasn't an island. I know. Super embarrassing. But whatevs.

// I am unexplainable clumsy. But, in such weird ways. And I mean it when I say it's unexplainable.

// I have come to hate snapchat. Shocker, because I used to love it! But--- when guys think it's okay to ask you on a date over a snap? Uh, no thanks. Be a man. Also, if you read the fine print... c-r-e-e-p-y. I still have it though... so...

// One day I would like to travel to every state in America and spend a week there. I've been to 11/ 50 so far . 

// I hate the dropping feeling... you know like when you go on the Rocket at Lagoon, or Tower of Terror? yeah. NO THANKS. I'd totally skydive though.

// I'm a total game player. Cards, board games, anything. Love it.

So, happy Saturday night to you, and if you read all of these. You rock.

2012 Recap

I know I'm like, seven days late, so just move on from that fact and recap the last year with me!
So many wonderful things happened, and it's easy to say that 2012 was extremely good to me. I couldn't have asked for a better year. A lot happened, and life has continued to move on without slowing down!
Here's a list of the year's highlights (I tried to do them in order, but I know I messed up in there somewhere) :
1: I turned 18! Not only was it the best day of the year, like always, but I got to spend my birthday with one of my most dearest friends. We danced the night away! Plus, my dad gave me a huge bouquet of flowers at the dance. He's kind of the best.
2: I graduated from Seminary. What up! At the graduation three of my best friends and I got randomly chosen to bear our testimonies. It was an unusually neat experience and it made me so grateful to have the friends that I do! I may not have many, but I have the best. AND... there was a lunar eclipse that day. Or a solar eclipse... anyway, there was an eclipse.
3: I graduated from the wonderful/not-so-wonderful high school. Talk about weird! At the time I didn't feel old enough to do that, but now I definitely don't feel that way. Not only did I graduate, but I ended my Student Government career with a bang, and had to give a speech. Something I am particularly proud of. ;) That's one day I will never forget!
4: For my senior trip, I decided to have my family tag along with me, and we went to the wonderful world of South Carolina. When I would tell people where I had chosen to go, I would always get such strange looks, but let me tell you. It is the greatest place ever. I crave it all the time. SC stole my heart.
5: I sent out some of the most incredible young men around the world on missions! Those were events full of mixed emotions. Not to mention, the other half got their calls. I'm so proud of all of them and I love them all more than anything!!
6: One thing you should know about me is that "where I come from, it's cornbread and chicken." Yes, I am from the lands of the south, good 'ole Georgia. One of my bucket list items had been to go back there and see where it all began, and I was fortunate enough to go this past summer! It was incredible. Southern Belle right here. ;)
7: My family and I got to go to the Brigham City Temple open house. I have never been surrounded by so much beauty physically and emotionally. I'm so blessed to be a part of such an incredible gospel and an eternal family!
8: In the fall I started college, and here is where I fell in love with Institute. I've said it before, but Seminary/Institute has changed my life, and I can't describe how grateful I am that I have the opportunity to go!
9: I did indeed meet the one and only, Andy Grammer. WHOO. What an experience that was. I took my best friend Jess with me and created one of the most exciting memories ever! What a man.
10: My brother Hunter earned his Eagle Scout rank! I am extremely proud of him for accomplishing his goal to get it before he turned 14. He is one of the most incredible boys I've ever known.
11: Little Baby P was born! My almost nephew as I like to calm him. He's one of the cutest little boys I've ever seen. Good work to his parents!
12: I met one incredible guy! He's basically one of the sweetest people I have known, and he has been such a blessing! I lucked out somehow... :)
13: Long lost cousin Cletus visited us from the South. Sure did miss that creepy man!
14: Every year my extended family gets together and does a Christmas service project, and this year we put together a little production of the Nativity for a retirement home! It was such a great experience, and makes me happy that I have the best family ever.
15: Jess and I had some great adventures, which included getting her car stuck in the snow and one of my favorite best friend times ever.
16: Christmas was one of the best I've ever had! There are too many details to go into that, but I'm sure one blessed girl.
17: My cousin came home from his mission in Hawaii! That included a road trip, tons of food, and a loud, laughing family. It was so great to see him again and see what an incredible man he has become!
 Some things I didn't have pictures for:
18: I received my Young Womanhood Medallion at my birthday! A little late I know, but at least I got it!
19: Both my Grandma and Grandpa went into remission from cancer this year! Prayer is the greatest thing.
20: I gained the nickname of "The Funeral Crasher" and I'm not even going to explain that one. haha

2012, it was real, it was fun, but I'm so excited to see what 2013 brings!

It's More Than A List

The things I am so thankful for this year are more than just a list. Each thing has meaning, emotion, and significant value to my life. Although I take them for granted, they are things that have molded me into the person I am, and have shaped my goal of who I want to become. 

More so this year than any other year in the past, I have been very sensitive to the things I am grateful for. The spirit of thanksgiving has overtaken my heart and has put so many things into perspective. 

My list may be different than yours, but I hope that everyone will take a little time to really think about what they have and why they're grateful for them.

1.  The amazing gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is the rock of my life and I can't imagine living without it. My testimony is so strong and I know it's true!

2.  My incredible family (extended included). I have one of the most supportive families in the history of ever. Not to mention the craziest, unusual, hilarious bunch we all make. I'm beyond blessed when it comes to them, and I couldn't ask for a better one. 

3.   My second family, the Godfrey's. My love for these guys is huge. They have welcomed me and loved me as if I were really apart of their family. They are so dear to my heart, and I'm so glad they let me be apart of their lives!

4.  I'm so grateful for Institute. My life has been changed through the church education system. It got turned right side up my junior year of high school, and it's been my support system ever since. My life would be completely different without it, and I'm so grateful for the people who have chosen to teach the principles of the gospel for a living. Words cannot describe my love for them and Institute/Seminary itself.

5.   I'm grateful for the opportunity I have and have had to go to school. Even though I dread it some days, and dislike it at times, I'm so blessed to have an education and the chance to learn and work with people. Not to mention the fact that schools are so close and there are so many of them.

6.  My friends. Heaven knows I'd be lost without them. They are something worth bragging about, and I hope they know how much I love them! I'm also grateful for all the friends I've had in the past, and all the people I've had the opportunity to get to know. I've been affected by every person that's come into my life, and I wouldn't trade those relationships for anything.

7.   I'm grateful for my past. Even though sometimes I wish things had never happened, I wouldn't be the person I am today without the trials I have had in my life.  There have been a lot of rough patches along the way, but I would go through them again knowing how strong they have made me. I have learned lesson after lesson, and I've been pushed to realize who I am. I didn't turn out so bad... ;)

8.   Music is an enormous part of my life! Whether it be playing the piano, dancing to my jam, listening to my siblings play their instruments, or the radio, I would go insane without it all. It's my alternate world I turn to more often than not.

9.   I'm grateful for my warm home, food, water (yes, water), clothes, food, the safe area I live in, my warm bed, my closet, food, movies, pictures, my car, my phone, and for everything else I take for granted everyday. Oh, and chocolate, definitely chocolate.   

10.  Next is my gratitude for everyone who has ever cared about me. I've had the opportunity to work with so many different people, all of whom are incredible in one way or another. I'm so grateful for the people that have ever loved me, cared for me, or liked me. It's a great feeling knowing you're surrounded by people who think positively about you, especially when you aren't feeling that way. 

11.  I'm grateful for memories. I'm always lost in memories. Good and bad, I love that we have the ability to remember so many things.

12. Tennis. My stress reliever at times. It's a great feeling when you can go hit your worries away. I'm also grateful for the people on the team I was on. I have so many things I laugh at that are all associated with the great sport. :)

13. I'm not sure that I really am grateful for this, but my "struggles" as my sister would say, keep me one my toes all the time and add a bit of humor to my days. For those of you who know me, you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who are wondering what in the world I'm talking about, just don't worry about it.

14.  Laughing! I love to laugh, and I tend to laugh at everything. Seriously, the best medicine you could ever discover. 

15.  Although my list could go on forever and ever I'm grateful for life in general. It's such an incredible journey.  The greatest adventure with so many interesting detours. Living is a blessing all in itself. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Now let's go eat until we can't move :)