Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Here is the post to catch you up on the last six months of my life. The fact that I can do it with less than ten pictures is really saying something about my life as of lately!






Feburary 16th: The boy came home. FINALLY! Two years is way too long to be without him. I refuse to ever do it again even though it was an experience that made me grow a lot.


April 28th: After using what felt like every ounce of patience I have, I got engaged. It was awesome and so totally worth the wait. Everything turned out even better than I had imagined.

First week of May: After a crazy 4 months, I completed my first semester at SUU and fourth semester of college. Finals week really got the best of us, but I'm happy to report we all survived. I turned in my last scantron and headed back down to sunny Saint George to live until Qualyn and I got an apartment in Cedar City.

May-July: These months are all a blur. Between trying to plan a wedding, driving back and forth to work in Cedar City, and living the life. It's a miracle I'm still alive. I spent lots of time with friends and have stayed sane for the most part. We are now just ten days away from the most anticipated day of my life and I could not be more happy that it is finally here. Here's to a new adventure!!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

God Gave Me You


I’ve been a walking heartache
I’ve made a mess of me
The person that I’ve been lately
Ain’t who I wanna be
But you stay here right beside me
Watch as the storm goes through
And I need you
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
There’s more here than what were seeing
A divine conspiracy
That you, an angel lovely
Could somehow fall for me
You’ll always be love’s great martyr
Ill be the flattered fool
and I need you
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you
On my own I’m only
Half of what I could be
I can’t do without you
We are stitched together
And what love has tethered
I pray we never undo
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
God gave me you for the ups and downs
God gave me you for the days of doubt
For when I think I’ve lost my way
There are no words here left to say, it’s true
God gave me you, gave me you. Gave me you.

My Cup Runneth Over....95% of the Time!!

“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart” -Eleanor Roosevelt

I have so much to be grateful for in my life. I was talking to my roommates this morning about how I feel like I am constantly crying and the only way I knew how to describe it was, "My cup runneth over...95% of the time!!" Which is where this blog post comes from. I wanted to let some people know how much they have changed my life because I know I dont find the words to say it enough.


MOM


This is my mother. She gave me her pretty brown hair. Looking back over my life, it is easy to recall so many sacrifices she made for me that almost always went unnoticed. The two of us don't always see eye to eye but I think that adds to the beauty of our relationship. You can't see the good in things if you never experience the bad. I know there must of been a few times were she wanted to take me out of this world for good but she always remained patient and stuck with me. When I moved out of the house, I caught myself doing things exactly the way she had my entire life and finally realizing why they were always done that way. She has taught me so much. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life learning even more from her. I love you, Mom!


DAD



This is my Dad. He has salt and pepper hair but in the recent years it has lost all its pepper. He gave me my grey hair genes. What a sweetie! It took me a long time to realize how much he had to give up for me to have a somewhat normal childhood. I feel like my Dad is one of the most underappreciated people on this planet. He works himself to the ground and I rarely hear him complain. He always tells me not to use credit cards and whether or not the insurance that people try to sell me is good or not. I know if I have a question he will always find me the answer. I love you, Dad!


JOSTLYN


This is Jostlyn. I feel safe calling her a sister. After we graduated, we embarked on a great adventure together. We moved into apartment I-7 at the end of July 2009 and the rest is history. We had a night when we stayed up and cried together spilling our guts and some of our darkest secrets. I believe that is the night we bonded forever. She taught me that so many things are justifiable depending on how you look at them. (Especially eating a Del Taco burrito every night at midnight for weeks.) We failed together, we succeeded together, and best of all we learned to love each other! I love you, Jost!

CIERA


This is Ciera. She is quiet until you get to know her. She always remembers birthdays and gives exceptional cards. She also lived with Jostlyn and I in the promised land of I-7. She was always staying on top of her school work, keeping oragnized and making goals. Ciera is a do-er. If there is something that needs to be done, she will do it. She is probably the only reason the dishes ever got done at our apartment. We always talk each other down when we are having a moment of freak out and we LOVE the sims. Ciera still teaches me by example that if you stick with something you can always accomplish it. I love you, Ciera!

KATE


Say hello to Kate. Don't let the horns fool you! Kate is the most honest person I know. The greatest part of her honesty is she has such an eloquent way of saying things that even though she may be putting you right in your place, it still sounds like the sweetest thing you have heard all day. She has taught me that relying on the gospel can get you through anything and family is where its at whether they are blood or not. I am absolutely certain Kate and I will be friends for life. I love you, Kate!

MERILEE


Please meet Merilee. Mer is the one who understands me better than I do myself most days. She strongly believes in gratitude and if you are lucky you may just get a surpise thank you note from her someday. They are always heartfelt! Mer is the nurturing one in my life and usually ends up giving me a hug when I cry. Fall semester 2010 bonded us forever. We are sisters and that is that. I love you, Mer!

ALYSSA

Hola to Alyssa! Lys is my favorite sister. We long ago decided to drop the "step" because neither of us are evil so it doesn't really apply to us. We have really great memories of the Washington City pool before they tore it down. Her size was always a 12 and mine was a 14. We made club houses and walked to the gas station to get slushes. We even had plans to retire and start our own candy shop. She is a good sport when we all call her names (Special Sweet and Lea Michelle for example). We are the coolest aunts and like to spoil our neice and nephew. Alyssa and I will forever be the classiest members of the family. Stuck together to the end! Alyssa has taught me to roll with the punches and dream big. Even if you never make it on that cross country vacation, you will always have something to look forward too right?! I love you, Lys!
SHAWNESSY
This is Shawnessy. She is the pretty lady second from the back. She is my oldest friend. We met in 1st grade and haven't quit loving each other since. Her middle name is Harlo. She loves to dance and I know she will do it until the day she dies. She is definitely one of the chillest people I know. Even when life gets busy and we are miles apart, she always finds time to let me know she is thinking of me. Shawnessy and I have been through some unspeakable heartaches together and I know that as hard as they were, we have become better friends and people for it. Shawnessy has taught me to "believe in yesterday". I love you, Shawn!!
KATY


This one here is Katy. She and Kate feel very passionately about their red hair. She is absolutely hilarious. I am constantly laughing when she is around. She hates to be touched but will occassionally let me get a loose hug because she knows I love them. The number one thing this like firecracker has taught me is to love everyone. She has shown me that we do not have the right to judge and we should always have a passion for the things we believe. She has taught me to be myself. I love you, Katy!


MARLA


This is Marla. Katy brought her into our lives. She is a total blessing to us all. She puts her whole heart into everything she does. She refuses to do important things half way. She is my friend that I know will always be willing to lend a hand whenever I need help. I am excited for the future and the things to come for us. I love you, Marla!

QUALYN


This friends, is Qualyn. Where do I even start with him. I completely know that I wouldn't be the person I am today without him. This boy, gave me the silent treatment for weeks in order to get through to me and I am so grateful he did. I can't picture my life or where I would be if he hadn't stepped in. He has helped me to grow, learn, and build a stronger testimony. I am so proud of him and everything he has accomplished. I love you, Qualyn!

JODI


Jodi Lee. We have the same middle name. She is my friend who knows the most about me. In times of crisis, I would always run next door and she would drop everything to be there for me. Her family fed me dinner everynight for months on end. One day it had rained and we put mud on every inch of our bodies and ran to show her mom. We have always been implusive. I was always jealous of her blonde hair and blue eyes. She has taught me that taking leaps of faith can sometimes pay off. I love you, Jod!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

The end of a decade, but the start of an age.

I have reached a new chapter of my life. This chapter is definitely one of the most scary, stressful times of my life. There are so many new and exciting things happening that sometimes I find that my head is totally spinning.

First change. I moved. I left Saint George. Saint George has been my home for seventeen years. I grew up there. I know where all the restaurants and businesses are. I know the college campus. I put my things in the car and drove up the freeway 49 miles to Cedar City to go to school at SUU. Cedar City is cold and unfamiliar and small. There is not a doubt in my mind that this is exactly where I am suppose to be. I am so grateful that I find it is constantly reaffirmed to me that I am in the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing.

Second change. Even though this hasn't happened yet, it is so close I can taste it. Qualyn is coming home. He flies in February 15th at 9:30 P.M. What do you do when the thing you have been waiting for is actually going to happen? If anyone has the secret please give me a call! I have never been so excited and nervous all at once. Even in all of these emotions, I know things will become comfortable again quickly. He is my rock. My constant. And the one who knows me way better than I know myself. I couldn't be more happy that he is finally coming back.

These two things that really don't seem so drastic will change everything. I know by moving I will meet people who I need as well as people who need me. I completely believe that each person that comes into your life has a specific purpose. I could easily make a list of people who have changed my life and the list continues to grow. The Lord is aware of the things we need. Today I found this quote.
"God does watch over us and does notice us, but it usually through someone
else that he meets our needs." — Spencer W. Kimball

I am grateful for a loving Father in heaven who knows me personally and sends exactly what will meet my needs by the perfect means. I am excited for this new page to turn in my life and even though its a little unnerving for a worry wart like me I can't wait to see what it brings!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Things Learned Fall Semester 2010

This weekend was bittersweet. It was loads of fun but we knew at the end, there would have to be a goodbye. We managed to bowl, travel, sing our hearts out, and even survive a few awkward situations. On Saturday we ventured out to Saint George. First, we caused a little havoc in the Red Robin then one thing lead to another and we ended up in the classy Play and Trade. This is where we found the video game that may change life as we know it. Singstar...80's version. It of course, took up most of our time for the rest of the weekend. It is definitely one of the greatest investments of my life. Here's some pictures of this weekend.

Yesterday after a wonderful Sunday dinner all the girls and I got started talking about things we had learned during this semester. I must say we came up with quite a few excellent life lessons and I wanted to share some of my favorites. It's amazing how much four months of experiences can teach you.

  1. Never judge a person by their outer appearance or their habits whether you agree with them or not.
  2. Everything happens for a reason.
  3. Love, laughter and good advice can heal anything!
  4. Sometimes the things you are searching for are right in front of you and all you really have to do is open your eyes and look for them.
  5. People close to you should accept you for who you are.
  6. As long as you have your people, you can make a home and a family.
  7. You don't need a man to make you feel whole.
  8. You are never alone. People are straegically placed in your life right when you need them and you can always turn to your Heavenly Father if you feel lonely.
As we started discussing each item as a group we realized that college's lessons go so much further than the textbooks and courses. Some of us are still unsure exactly what our major is and a lot of the time we wonder, "What am I putting myself through this torture?" These life lessons are the reason we need to be there. It's not always about the grade, but about how we learn to love, laugh and adapt. I can't wait for another semester of learning. College life goes on in 2011!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

When you are considering faking your own death....

The last two weeks of the semester should be illegal. Period. Between final assignments, projects and tests plus the fact that most teachers run out of time and begin to cram most of us are close to tears by the end of every day. As I was walking into class today I sent my sister Alyssa a text. Our conversation went as follows:


Me: Thought. What if I faked my own death...just until after finals?
Alyssa: ha ha fatal car crash together?
Me: I love this idea. Lets get this taken care of tonight.
Alyssa: But my last final is today.

Since I wouldn't have my partner in crime, we decided that faking our own death just to get out of finals wasn't such a good idea. I carried on with my day feeling stressed and overwhelmed with life. After school, work, a visit to my dear friend Jostlyn, and I biology test I couldn't wait to get home. I knew that today could be the day that I would get a letter. I hurried up the highway and stopped by the mailbox to see. I opened it and right on top was a beautifully colored red, white and blue envelope. Now if you have never had the joy of receiving a letter of this sort let me tell you about it. They do not come often. (The last time I received one was 13 weeks ago.) It is always worth the wait! Each one brings new hope and faith for life and usually makes you feel like you can do just about anything. This one was even better than normal. As I read through everything written on the page, my testimony was so incredibly strengthened I couldn't believe it. I had a confirmation that I have a loving Father in heaven who really does have a plan for me and is always willing to help me. We all have things we struggle with and sometimes those things change depending on the day. One of the constants for me is faith. I have a quote on my wall that reads:
"Faith is not believing that God can it is knowing that he will."
After today, I realize this simple truth is so important to remember. We are loved. Our Father is just waiting to help us and all we have to do is ask. After today, I am ready to face finals. So go ahead college education...hit me with your best shot!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Things That Make Me Smile

I have officially been scolded for not blogging enough. I know I'm a slacker but life gets in the way. Since I am so not in the homework mood tonight, I think I'll go ahead and let it pile up even more while I blog. There are some things my life that make me smile. Period. I always have little moments that make me realize just how blessed I really am. Things like:

Accomplishing something great! (My graduation in May 2009.)


Learning something new! (Jostlyn and I ice skating New Years Eve 2009.)

Traveling (In Seattle during the Summer of 2008)


Experiencing my first meal living on my own and finally understanding I had a lot to learn.(August 2009)


Old friends who I know that I will love and stay close with forever.



High school memories. Remembering the laughter, the tears, the drama, the lessons and meeting people who you know you will never forget.


Family time. Even thought my family sometimes really puts the FUN into dysfunctional, I don't know where I would be without them.


Exploring new places. (Ciera, Kylee and I hiking during the summer of 2010)


Holiday celebrations.


Weddings. I love to see people find their happily ever after.

Baptisms. There is nothing more powerful than someone accepting the gospel.


Newborn babies. These little lives amaze me.

Knowing no matter what there will always be someone who cares about me.